How Many Fire Ants Live in One Colony?

If you want the quick answer to “how many fire ants live in one colony?” Fire Ant Specialists can tell you. It’s 100,000 to 500,000 ants. But how do they get so numerous? And why is it a problem? We’ve got the answers to those questions, too.

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, made itself a stowaway on a cargo ship coming from South America in the 1930s. Everything was rough in the US at that time, and so people were probably a lot less concerned about this new invader than they should have been.

Over the last almost 100 years, the red imported fire ant has taken up residence across the Southeastern parts of the US as well as in California. Trying to rid oneself of their presence has proven incredibly difficult. 

This is why utilizing the professional expertise provided by Fire Ant Specialists, with more than 30 years of experience, is highly advisable. We’ve been in this battle for about a third of the time it’s been going on, and we’ve learned some things in the process.

But let’s get back to your questions.

How Did Their Numbers Increase?

The answer is a matter of the birds and the bees (or ants in this case). When the winged males and females mate midair, the male deposits all the sperm she will ever need for all the babies she will ever produce.

Then, they both land back on the ground. The male goes off to die, and the female rips off her own wings and starts looking for a place to begin her new kingdom. She digs down into the ground and lays her first round of worker ants. Once those are established and doing their jobs, she is capable of laying 800 eggs every single day, for up to seven years.

A worker ant’s lifespan is fairly short, typically four to six weeks. But, since the queen is constantly bringing forth replacements, it is as if the ant colony’s numbers never decrease. This is all the more true when a colony has multiple queens.

Why are Fire Ants a Problem?

Most people would probably not ask a question like this because no one appreciates being bitten and stung by the red imported fire ant. However, that usually minor physical inconvenience is not the only issue that these invaders cause.

Sure, the bites and stings can leave you with ugly pustules. And, for some people and animals, they could put you in a life-threatening situation. However, there are still other negatives attached to the presence of fire ants on your property.

The colonies that they create can be as deep as 25 feet under the surface. This may not be a big deal if they have chosen to place themselves in the midst of a vast field. But when their underground villages are located beneath structures, there is a potential for destruction and collapse.

Parking lots and buildings have endured a loss of structural integrity simply because a colony has decided to decrease the density of the ground beneath them by filling it with tunnels and holes. Add to this that they also like to hang out in HVAC & well pump systems, and you can see why they are really bad news for all property owners.

So, if the thought of 500,000 ants, the answer to how many fire ants live in one colony, living on your property, isn’t enough for you to call Fire Ant Specialists for help, we don’t know what will be. But we’re waiting to assist you at 352-291-2687, or you can click here.