{"id":11750,"date":"2020-08-23T06:19:08","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T20:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/?page_id=11750"},"modified":"2025-05-20T08:43:19","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T22:43:19","slug":"red-imported-fire-ant","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/ants\/red-imported-fire-ant\/","title":{"rendered":"Red imported fire ant (<i>Solenposis invicta<\/i>) in New Zealand"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"11750\" class=\"elementor elementor-11750\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-33dbf4b7 elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-items-middle\" data-id=\"33dbf4b7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-43d926c1\" data-id=\"43d926c1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4abc53c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4abc53c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Red imported fire ant (<i>Solenposis invicta<\/i>) in New Zealand<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-48e15bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"48e15bf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c613fa4\" data-id=\"c613fa4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7d6a347 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"7d6a347\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><nav  aria-label=\"breadcrumb\"><ol class=\"breadcrumb\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/BreadcrumbList\"><li class=\"breadcrumb-item active\" aria-current=\"page\" itemprop=\"itemListElement\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/ListItem\"><span itemprop=\"name\">Home<\/span><meta itemprop=\"position\" content=\"1\"><\/li><\/ol><\/nav><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-49eb073 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"49eb073\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-58ff827\" data-id=\"58ff827\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f25e1fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f25e1fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invict.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-11387\" alt=\"red imported fire ant worker image\" srcset=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invict.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invict-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invict-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invict-285x190.jpg 285w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invict-150x100.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f18a17e\" data-id=\"f18a17e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5432c54 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5432c54\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Pest Snapshot - Red Imported Fire Ant<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d6c46ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d6c46ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul style=\"text-align: center;\"><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Scientific name: <\/b><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Solenopsis invicta<\/span><\/em><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Identification:<\/strong> Shiny red \/ brown ant with darker abdomen. Size: 2.0 \u2013 6.0 mm. Create visible nest mounds with no obvious entrance.<\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Health threat: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High<\/span><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Bite \/ sting pain:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Very painful sting that get create pustules and potential anaphylatic shock<\/span><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Difficulty to control: <\/b>Moderate<\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Diet: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oil and protein<\/span><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Nest locations: <\/strong>Outdoors under objectives, next to vertical structures in grassed areas, in pastures and lawns<\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong>Colony structure:<\/strong> Both single queen, single nest and multi-queen, multi-nest<\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Main pest season: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Spring &#8211; Autumn<\/span><\/li><li style=\"text-align: left;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indoor\/Outdoor pest: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outdoors<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-53c5f40e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"53c5f40e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f979ee9\" data-id=\"7f979ee9\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-281d2a2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"281d2a2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Red imported fire ants are not currently present in New Zealand. However, in the early 2000s there was one red imported fire ant incursion in Napier and\u00a0 2 interceptions at ports in Auckland and Napier.<\/p><p>In the Napier incursion in 2006, a fairly large nest was identified and treated. After 3 years of surveillence and preventative treatments to the surrounding area, the incursion was declared eliminated in 2009.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ed4b57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1ed4b57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Red imported fire ant information<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-199442c3 closed-accordion elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"199442c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4291\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4291\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Other common names: <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4291\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4291\"><p>RIFA \/ fire ant.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4292\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4292\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Invasive \/ native: <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4292\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4292\"><p>The red imported fire ant, is an and invasive ant, but it is not currently present in New Zealand.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4293\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4293\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Distribution:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4293\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4293\"><p>Not currently present in New Zealand (but has invaded Australia).<\/p><p>Tend to build nests in disturbed areas, often next to rocks, logs, posts, pavers and paths. Will also build nests in lawns \/ pasture areas.<\/p><p>Comprehensive information on <a href=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/pest-control-ants\/where-are-fire-ants-found-in-australia-and-new-zealand\/\">where fire ants are found in Australia and New Zealand<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4294\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4294\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Typical nest location:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4294\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4294\"><p>It prefers moist, disturbed habitats \u2013 areas around human population are ideal. Typically, it \u00a0nests outdoors in soil and under rocks \/ pavers. Sometimes it will nest indoors in wall cavities and plug sockets.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4295\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4295\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Colony size \/ structure:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4295\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4295\"><p>There are two variants of the red important fire ant:<\/p><ul><li>Monogynous colonies: Single queen, single nest variant<\/li><\/ul><p>Monogyne nests can contain up to 250,000 individuals and produce alates (flying ants) that can disperse over 500 m before mating and setting up new colonies. They will defend their territory aggressively against other ants (including other fire ants).<\/p><ul><li>Polygynous colonies: Multiple queen, multi-nest variant<\/li><\/ul><p>Polygynous colonies can contain hundreds of queens and create new nests through budding \u2013 a queen takes a few workers and brood to set up a nest nearby. Through this process the polygynous variant can create super-colonies with a mound density of 220 mounds per hectare containing up to 50 million ants.<\/p><p>Both variants are present in the Queensland incursion.<\/p><p>New research has uncovered how a <a href=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/pest-control-ants\/research\/supergene-explains-fire-ant-colony-structure\/\">supergene explains fire ant colony structure<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4296\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4296\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Identification:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4296\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"6\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4296\"><p>Colour: Shiny red\/brown to dark brown (on the abdomen)<br \/>Size: 2.0 \u2013 6.0 mm (workers are of variable size)<br \/>Nodes on petiole: 2<\/p><p>Their colour and variable size of worker are key identification features.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4297\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4297\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Food preferences:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4297\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"7\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4297\"><p>Red imported fire ants show a preference for protein \/ oil, feeding on insects and other animals (alive and dead) and seeds. However, they show a preference for carbohydrate in the cooler months, when presumably they don\u2019t require protein for nest growth. They will tend sap feeding insects to collect honeydew and feed on plant nectaries to get this carbohydrate.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4298\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4298\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Distinguishing features \/ behaviours:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4298\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"8\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4298\"><p>Their nests, once 1-2 years old, become visible as a noticeable mound of dirt which has an open structure with no obvious opening. When the nest is disturbed the ants pour out of the nest in a highly aggressive manner.<\/p><p>There are no other ants in New Zealand that build nests like this.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-4299\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-4299\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Bite \/ sting:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-4299\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"9\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-4299\"><ul><li>Red important fire ants have a very painful sting, a bit like a bee sting. Individual ants will sting multiple times and with ants swarming over potential victims, they can receive hundreds of stings<\/li><li>Like a bee sting, victims can suffer allergic reactions to the sting with potential anaphylactic shock<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-42910\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-42910\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Treatment and Prevention notes:<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-42910\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"10\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-42910\"><p>If you think you may have spotted a fire ant nest do not try and treated and do not touch it. Take a photo and contact the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mpi.govt.nz\/biosecurity\/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand\/horticultural-pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand\/red-imported-fire-ant\/\">Ministry for Primary Industries<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63266c8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63266c8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Go to the ants page for more species of <a href=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/ants\/\">ants<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8bbeae6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8bbeae6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a6d539 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a6d539\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Red Imported Fire Ant FAQ<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65ec3ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-accordion\" data-id=\"65ec3ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1061\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1061\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What do fire ants look like?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1061\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1061\"><p>Fire ants are a shiny red \/ brown ant, typically with a dark brown \/ black abdomen. The worker ants come in a range of sizes from 2.0 mm long to a large 6.0 mm long worker, with large heads.<\/p><figure id=\"attachment_11349\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11349\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11349 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invicta5n-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"red imported fire ant worker\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invicta5n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invicta5n-267x200.jpg 267w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invicta5n-253x190.jpg 253w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invicta5n-140x105.jpg 140w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Red-imported-fire-ant-invicta5n.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11349\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Large fire ant worker<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1062\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1062\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What does a fire ant nest look like?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1062\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1062\"><p>Fire ants start to build an obvious nest mound after only a couple of months. They product a mound of dirt with a crispy outer layer, but will no obvious entrance \/ exit holes. As the nest matures it can grow to 60 cm or in diameter and 30 cm or more high (although sometimes the next can appear as a flat area of bare ground). The mounds will be built in open pasture \/ areas of lawn in large infestations, but often they will be built next to hard objects &#8211; beside logs and tree stumps, fencing, edge of pavements, etc.<\/p><p>The way to confirm identification of a fire ant nes is to probe the mound with a stick &#8211; ants will emerge rapidly in great numbers, attacking the stick aggressively.<\/p><p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-3728 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/invicta20j-LR-300x149.jpg\" alt=\"fire ant nests\" width=\"300\" height=\"149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/invicta20j-LR-300x149.jpg 300w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/invicta20j-LR-768x382.jpg 768w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/invicta20j-LR-1024x509.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/> The distinctive nest mounds made of dirt, of red imported fire ants<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1063\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1063\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How to identify fire ants?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1063\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1063\"><p>The easiest way to identify fire ants is by spotting their nests. Even after a few months, a nest mount starts to become visible. They produce a mound of dirt, often against a vertical hard objective with no obvious entrance. There are no other ants in Australia that produce nests like this. If you probe the nest with a stick (be careful), the ants will erupt from the nest in an aggressive manner.<\/p><p>As the ants typically forage at ground level amongst the grass, they can be hard to spot&#8230; until you get stung! Although it may be diffcult to tell fire ants from some other ant species (to the untrained eye), their aggressive nature and very painful sting is a big giveaway.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1064\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1064\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Are there fire ants in New Zealand?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1064\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1064\"><p>No. Fire ants are not currently in New Zealand and the biosecurity teams are regularly inspecting for fire ants to prevent accidental introduction.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-accordion-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 id=\"elementor-tab-title-1065\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1065\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon elementor-accordion-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-plus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-accordion-icon-opened\"><i class=\"fas fa-minus\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-accordion-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why are fire ants bad for New Zealand?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1065\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1065\"><p>Red imported fire ants are an invasive species to New Zealand. Without any natural predators and their rapid rate of reproduction, they will spread rapidly. The climate of much of New Zealand, especially the North Island, would allow fire ants to spread quickly if they get introduced without being detected.\u00a0<\/p><p>If they become established and spread, they will have three big impacts on the New Zealand way of life:<\/p><ol><li>They will seriously impact the ability of people to enjoy grassed areas. Their stings are very painful and each year it is likely there will be a couple of deaths from anaphylactic shock.\u00a0 Areas will need to have regular treatment to keep them fire ant free.<\/li><li>Agricultural and farming areas will be serious impacted &#8211; crops will be difficult to harvest and livestock will be affected.<\/li><li>Many native wildlife species will be largely eliminated from infested areas &#8211; in particular many invertebrates, lizards and ground dwelling birds.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b63f02f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b63f02f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25d5471 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"25d5471\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Further reading...<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bb451af elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bb451af\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2743b45\" data-id=\"2743b45\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82bafcc elementor-grid-1 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"82bafcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-36576 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-pest-control-ants pest-ants wpbf-post\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/pest-control-ants\/where-are-fire-ants-found-in-australia-and-new-zealand\/\" tabindex=\"-1\" ><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/invicta21-copy-low-res-e1578356787629-300x150.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-37085\" alt=\"Red imported fire ant nest\" srcset=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/invicta21-copy-low-res-e1578356787629-300x150.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/invicta21-copy-low-res-e1578356787629-310x155.jpeg 310w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/invicta21-copy-low-res-e1578356787629-150x75.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/invicta21-copy-low-res-e1578356787629.jpeg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__badge\">Pest Control Ants<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/pest-control-ants\/where-are-fire-ants-found-in-australia-and-new-zealand\/\" >\n\t\t\t\tWhere Are Fire Ants Found in Australia and New Zealand?\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__excerpt\">\n\t\t\t<p>The latest information on where fire ants are found in Australia and New Zealand&#8230;<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/pest-control-ants\/where-are-fire-ants-found-in-australia-and-new-zealand\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Where Are Fire Ants Found in Australia and New Zealand?\" tabindex=\"-1\" >\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6730f2d\" data-id=\"6730f2d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d0f5c4e\" data-id=\"d0f5c4e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Pest Snapshot &#8211; Red Imported Fire Ant Scientific name: Solenopsis invicta Identification: Shiny red \/ brown ant with darker abdomen. Size: 2.0 \u2013 6.0 mm. Create visible nest mounds with no obvious entrance. Health threat: High Bite \/ sting pain: Very painful sting that get create pustules and potential anaphylatic shock Difficulty to control: Moderate Diet: Oil and protein Nest locations: Outdoors under objectives, next to vertical structures in grassed areas, in pastures and lawns Colony structure: Both single queen, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":11729,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"Red imported fire ant (Solenposis invicta) in New Zealand","_seopress_titles_desc":"Learn about the red imported fire ants (RIFA) (Solenopsis invicta) an invasive ant of great concern should it become established in New Zealand.","_seopress_robots_index":"","_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11750","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11750"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11750\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39951,"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11750\/revisions\/39951"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/professionalpestmanager.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}