Fire Ants in Ohio? - Ask Extension
Have imported red fire ants been reported in Ohio? I am a local veterinarian and have a canine patient who presented to an emergency clinic with a se...
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Fire Ants in Ohio? #910796
Asked July 21, 2025, 7:36 PM EDT
Have imported red fire ants been reported in Ohio? I am a local veterinarian and have a canine patient who presented to an emergency clinic with a severe anaphylactic reaction secondary to an insect bite. Severe reactions are common in the southern USA from red fire ant stings. Have there been any reports of these ants as far north as the Columbus area? Thank you!
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Laurel,
Imported fire ants have not been reported or confirmed in Ohio. The closest to Ohio that they have been confirmed is the southern edge of Kentucky. We do have other common ants in Ohio that are capable of stinging such as the pavement ant or biting then introducing formic acid into the bite such as carpenter ants and Allegheny mound ants.
Imported fire ants have not been reported or confirmed in Ohio. The closest to Ohio that they have been confirmed is the southern edge of Kentucky. We do have other common ants in Ohio that are capable of stinging such as the pavement ant or biting then introducing formic acid into the bite such as carpenter ants and Allegheny mound ants.
