What Are the Natural Predators of Fire Ants?

Decapitating Flies

• Decapitating (or phorid) flies are a natural predator of fire ants and are native to South America. They have been brought to the U.S. where the Department of Agriculture (USDA) mass produces them to use against the ants. Female phorid flies sting fire ants in the back of their heads or on the back of their body and inject eggs inside of them. Once the eggs are released inside of the ant's body they began to develop into adults. When they reach adulthood, phorids burst through the ant's body, usually emerging from their head. Fire ants take up defensive positions when they spot phorids and this behavior is known to disrupt their communities.

Armadillos

• Armadillos are related to anteaters and can be found in portions of the south-central and southwest United States. These creatures consume insects and they are sometimes used to help suppress fire ant populations. Though helpful, armadillos are not truly effective at reducing fire ant colonies. Some researchers and scientists try to use a combination of armadillos and decapitating flies to eliminate the ants.

Anteaters

• Anteaters are similar to armadillos and are natural enemies of fire ants. There are environmental problems with placing populations of anteaters in the United States--chiefly cold weather. Another consideration: Anteaters tend to live in trees, where fire ants in the U.S. seldom thrive. The ants do live in trees within the rainforests of South America, which is why the anteater is more suited as a predator in these regions than in the U.S.

Parasites and Other Predators

• There are some parasites that act as natural predators of fire ants. These creatures exist in South America and they assist other predators with combating the ant's spread. Parasitic ants, parasitic wasps nematodes and mites have been known to eliminate fire ants. Other natural predators include beetles, true bugs and silverfish. Each of these creatures is used only in a limited capacity to combat fire ants since they can pose financial or environmental challenges when used on a wide scale.