Only the last larval stage can inject solid food particles. Sieve plates in the mouths of worker ants prevent ingestion of food particles. Fire ants infest the eastern two-thirds of Texas. Fire ants are omnivorous, but their primary diet consists of insects and other invertebrates. Predatory activities of fire ants suppress populations of ticks, chiggers, caterpillars a nd other insects.
Predatory activity attributes to wildlife reductions in some areas.
Fire ants can be collected and stored in alcohol by placing an alcohol filled vial in the top of a mound and allowing ants to run up the sides of the vial and into the alcohol. Ants can be prevented from crawling up vertical surfaces by coating these them with talcum powder. Yourself Fire Ant Control . Also visit our Fire Ant Web Site. For additional information, contact your local Texas extension service agent, or search for other state extension service offices.