Red Harvester Ants can be aggressive and have a painful sting that spreads through the lymph nodes, sometimes causing reactions, especially in those allergic to their venom. In addition to their potent sting, Red Harvester ants can bite ferociously. Over the years their numbers have been declining, and this has often been attributed to competition for food with the invasive Red Imported Fire Ant. Their decline has affected many native species, as the red harvester ant is a chief source of food for certain animals such as the Texas horned lizard. Red Harvester Ants are often mistaken for fire ants, but are not related to any fire ant species, native or introduced.

Some species are warlike, and almost always fight when they run into even their own species from other colonies. Other species do not fight. Swarming occurs during the summer. There are both male and female swarmers. Mating occurs outside the nest, after which the females fly off to start new colonies.

Red harvester ant nests are characterized by a lack of foliage and small pebbles surrounding a hole that is usually at grade. The mounds are typically flat and broad, ranging from 0-100 mm high, and 300-1200 mm in diameter. There have been reports of even larger denuded areas, on the order of 10 m². In grassland areas, like ranches, the lack of plant life makes red harvester ant colonies very easy to spot.

The red harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex barbatus F. Smith, ranges from Kansas and Oklahoma through western Texas into Mexico and southward through New Mexico and Arizona. It occurs sporadically in extreme southern Utah. In the southern part of its range it is commonly found at elevations of more than 3000 feet. In the United States, Pogonomyrmex barbatus occurs in areas of comparatively low elevations, nesting in soil on open land. They may be more commonly found in cultivated land than non-cultivated because of the available food. They nest in barren circular areas of varying size with a single entry hole. The nesting area averages about 12 feet in diameter but may range from 3 feet to 35 feet. The ants remove the vegetation around the nest allowing the sun to keep the area warm and dry. There may be one or more distinct foraging trails that lead from the nest entry hole to surrounding vegetation.

Red harvester ants are native species and are generally not considered to be serious pests. Consider the option of not controlling these ants, especially in areas inhabited by the few remain-ing horned lizards (see box). However, in certain cases, elimination of red harvester ants may be necessary. Destruction of their nests and habitat through regular discing and mowing may eliminate them without resort-ing to use of insecticides. If pesticides are select-ed, use registered products selectively and care-fully follow instructions provided on the label.

Generally harvester ants are easy to control. Destruction of their nests and habitat through regular discing and mowing may eliminate them without resorting to use of insecticides. Any insecticide registered to control ants can be used to control them. Baits labeled for application to lawns to control harvester ants are very effective. Dust insecticides labeled for ant control can be effective when injected into entry holes. Drenching the mounds with a residual insecticide is least desirable, but an insecticide labeled for drenching can be injected into entry holes with a compressed air sprayer with good results.