They’re back! Yes, the fire ants are back, and if you haven’t seen them yet, you will. Every year, homeowners, landowners and fire ants go to war against each other for the rights to the area. When warmer weather sets in, fire ants become more active and begin building new mounds and starting new colonies. At the same time, people start spending more time outside and begin doing yard work and gardening. When they eventually meet, another battle breaks out and the annual war begins.

Red imported fire ants are originally from South America and accidentally came to the Southeastern United States on a ship through the port of Mobile, Alabama, in the 1930s. Yes, another thing Alabama is famous for. Since then, this ant species has had an enormous effect on the Southeastern United States and continues to spread into areas of North America with mild climates and adequate moisture and food. Approximately 325 million acres in the Southeastern United States are infested, including all of Alabama’s 67 counties.