phase which lasts 12-14 days. In this phase, the ant larvae are wormlike, lacking eyes and legs. They rely on other ants to feed them. After several molting stages, the larvae turn into pupae. Pupae develop into adult fire ants in about 16 days.
Fertilized fire ant eggs become female workers that go out in search of food, feed other ants, and sometimes become queens themselves. Unfertilized fire ant eggs become male drones and mates for the queen. The life of an individual ant depends on its role in the colony. Male drones live for a few weeks, but a queen can live for up to 30 years. For this reason, fire ant colonies can persist and grow for many years if left untreated – and can contain thousands to millions of ants. Fire ant colonies can have multiple queens.
Fire ant mounds grow as the colony does, and a queen can bring some of her workers to establish new colonies near the initial mound.
Rudy’s Termite & Pest Control is your Coachella Valley expert in identifying and treating fire ant infestations. Let us help you today!