While the drier conditions of the Southwest limit the ants' progress, the recent drought has in many ways increased human and fire ant encounters. This is also true of the imported fire ant. Under dry conditions, the IFA must burrow deeper underground to maintian a tolerable temperature. Not only does the IFA have certain temperature requirements, but also this voracious predator must intake a certain level of moisture to survive. An aggressive pest already, during a drought the IFA may be more likely to damage gardens, yards, homes and other structures in search of water.
Young wildlife can be particularly vulnerable.
Although there have been numerous incidental observations of fire ants attacking and killing wildlife, limited research has been done regarding the IFAs impact on wildlife populations. It has been documented that these ants are attracted to moisture in the eyes, nose and mouth of young mammals and in the hatching eggs of ground nesting birds and reptiles. More damaging than direct attacks on individual animals is the intense competition for insects and seeds. The IFA can dramatically reduce the amount of food available for loggerhead shrikes, bobwhite quail, horned lizards and many other species. It is difficult to determine the exact relationship between the IFA and other species but it is obvious more research is needed to determine the long term effects of this ant at the ecosystem level.