How Do Fire Ants Reproduce?

You understand the birds and the bees, but you might have wondered, “How do fire ants reproduce?” And if you never have, you probably are now.

At Fire Ant Specialists, we are knowledgeable in all realms pertaining to fire ants. And we would love to answer this question for you. But we would also like to save you from the pain that the results of their reproduction usher in. If you have an ant problem, we are the ones to call.

Since 1993, Fire Ant Specialists has been partnering with sister companies to help control the prevalence of the invasive red imported fire ant. Sting-free properties are our goal.

Fire Ant Reproduction 101

Flying male and female fire ants, called alates, take flight. While above the nest—several hundred feet in the air—they mate midair. Most frequently, this mating happens when temperatures are between 70° and 95°F.

There are additional requirements for this ritual to transpire. In most instances, it will have rained within the last 24 hours. Additionally, the humidity will be quite high, while the winds will be very low.

Once mating has concluded, the male soon dies. The female will return to the land, rip off her wings, and look for the proper place to establish her own colony, where she will be queen.

Bear in mind that many newly impregnated female ants are eaten before they can establish a colony. Since they can no longer fly away from predators and are walking alone on the ground, they become prime targets for lizards and other insect-enjoying predators.

The queens that survive will choose a location and dig down into the soil to create small chambers, where they will lay about 25 eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the queen feeds them with her own cannibalized eggs and digested wing muscle stores. She never leaves the chambers again.

There’s so much more to this story. We hope you will go see what else happens in the reproductive process. After all, this was just 101.

Interesting but Dangerous

You can’t deny that the reproduction process of the red imported fire ant is indeed interesting. But the truth is, these creatures are pretty dangerous and should be handled with caution.

If you find that they have invaded your lawn space—no matter what kind of lawn that is—it is wise to seek professional help. Fire ant stings have been deadly in some instances, so avoiding circumstances that lead to such occurrences is ideal.

At Fire Ant Specialists, we want to give you the freedom to walk across your lawn barefoot without fear of attack. Our products are aimed at the queen to sterilize her. When that happens, the entire colony dies.

When we evaluate a property, we provide a timeframe within which to expect adequate change. If that timeframe is not met, we will come back and spot-treat the property for free. Our goal is to remain true to our word in all instances and provide our customers with the utmost satisfaction.

Now that you know the answer to the question, “How do fire ants reproduce?” you might be seeking an answer to your own fire ant issues. Fire Ant Specialists is here for you. Give us a call at 352-291-2687, or click here to get a free quote or to book your treatment.