What Size Are Fire Ants?

Several different species of ants can be found in the United States. Their sizes vary. They range from tiny to medium-sized.

A small ant may be about 1/16 of an inch long, while a large ant may be up to 2 inches long. The largest ant species found in the United States is the bull ant. It was discovered in fossilized remains in Wyoming, USA.

A single queen fire ant can lay as many as 1,500 eggs a day. This is much higher than the numbers of workers in a single colony. However, multiple queen colonies have been found in Texas, Louisiana, and Florida. These colonies have fewer major workers. They also produce fewer reproductive alates.

The first worker ants produced in a colony are called minims. These workers are small. The larger workers are known as major workers.

The queen of a red imported fire ant only needs a few workers to start a new colony. The mounds that these ants create are dome-shaped and usually located in the open. They are generally found near sidewalks and driveways.

These ants have four distinct teeth, a black gaster, and a sting at the gaster tip. The queen ants of these ants can live up to seven years.

The red imported fire ants have invaded the southern United States. They are known for their large colonies. They can build mounds in almost any soil. They can build them under buildings, as well as on tree trunks. They are usually active in the spring through the fall.