Queen ants can live seven years or more, while worker ants generally live about five weeks, although they can survive much longer. The ants build mounds in almost any type of soil, but prefer open, sunny areas such as pastures, parks, lawns, meadows and cultivated fields. Mounds can reach 18 inches in height, depending upon the type of soil. Often mounds are located in rotting logs, and around stumps and trees. Colonies can also be found in or under buildings.
Colonies frequently migrate from one site to another.
The queen needs only about six workers to start a new colony. They can develop a new mound, several hundred feet away from their previous location, almost overnight. To learn the differences between common ants and the red imported fire ant, click HERE . Medical Problems Fire ants are aggressive and will defensively attack anything that disturbs them. They can sting repeatedly.