Fire ants are a common pest, known for their aggressive stinging behavior and prominent mounds. Many mistakenly believe these ants consume wood, similar to termites or carpenter ants, leading to concerns about structural damage. However, fire ants do not eat wood; their habits differ from wood-destroying insects.
Fire Ants and Wood: The Truth
Fire ants do not consume wood. Unlike termites, which digest cellulose from wood, or carpenter ants, which tunnel into wood to build nests, fire ants gain no nutritional benefit from it. While found near wooden structures, their presence does not mean they are eating the wood.
They tunnel through decaying wood or insulation to create nesting sites or pathways. They seek shelter and stable environments for their colonies, and compromised wood can provide such conditions. Their activity in wood is for habitation, not for food, unlike true wood-destroying pests.
What Fire Ants Actually Eat
Fire ants are omnivorous, consuming both plant and animal matter. They are highly opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes a wide array of food sources, such as various living and dead insects like caterpillars, beetle larvae, and crickets.
Beyond insects, fire ants also consume small invertebrates, seeds, and young plants. They are attracted to sweet substances like honeydew (produced by aphids) and plant nectaries. Scavenging is a significant part of their foraging, leading them to consume pet food, human food scraps, or dead animals. Worker ants primarily ingest liquids, while solid foods are processed by specialized larvae before being shared with the colony.
Understanding Fire Ant Damage
While fire ants do not eat wood, they can still cause significant problems. Their most visible impact is the construction of large mounds in landscapes, lawns, pastures, and agricultural fields. These mounds can interfere with mowing and damage farm equipment.
Fire ants also pose a threat to electrical equipment. They are attracted to electrical fields and can nest inside units like air conditioners, traffic signal boxes, and circuit breakers. Their presence can lead to short circuits, corrosion, and mechanical failures. In agriculture, fire ants can damage crops by feeding on germinating seeds and young plants, causing stand loss and reducing yields. They can also harm young livestock and ground-nesting wildlife through their stings.