Look and report
Red imported fire ant
Pests & insects
Red imported fire ant (RIFA) is one of the most serious invasive ant pests in the world. It is extremely aggressive and it can inflict painful stings on people, pets, and livestock.
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Red imported fire ant
Red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) (RIFA) can be hard to distinguish from other ants. They are small (2 to 6 mm), red-brown coloured, with a darker abdomen.
The red imported fire ant:
- vary in size within the same nest
- often has a nest with a disturbed soil mound (rather than a visible entry hole), containing ants of assorted sizes
- is usually aggressive if disturbed and can inflict a painful, fiery sting that can form blisters or pustules at the site, and in some cases, anaphylactic allergic reactions.
Where to look:
- in open, sunlit areas like lawns, pastures, and roadsides
- next to or under objects such as logs, rocks, pavers, or bricks
- disturbed areas like garden beds, near water sources like dams, or around objects like utility pits
- in or around hay bales and new landscaping materials such as pot plants, mulch and turf.
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Red imported fire ant - factsheetpdf (542 KB)
Help us keep WA free of red imported fire ant
When a local business reported live fire ants, their quick action stopped a dangerous pest before it could spread. These pests can devastate the environment, economy, and the Western Australian lifestyle we love. Learn how DPIRD’s biosecurity team identified, contained, and destroyed the threat, protecting WA from one of the world’s most invasive species.