Imported fire ants commonly found in southwest Florida have a nasty sting. Nearly two days after the bite and I am still in pain. Imported Fire Ants are some of the most commonly found and feared pests in Manatee and Sarasota Counties because they can be found just under the grass and you may not see them until it is too late. Most commonly found in direct sun and areas of high ground, this species burrows deep beneath the soil and disperses widely across an area of yard.
While foraging for food in the heat of the day, these ants will scavenge for just about any food source they find in their path. Although infrequent, I have seen these ants infest wall voids and build mounds against the baseboards of people interior walls. With even just a few bites, you can be suffering for days. People who are allergic to bee stings can have the same anaphylactic shock conditions from red ant stings.
