Huntsville Alabama.

The imported fire ants live in mounds. I'm not sure if the native species do or not. At any rate, an exploratory party of one of the native species of fire ants discovered that they like whatever sort of fat is in the (all natural, Bert's Bees) hand salve that I use and they were hanging around in my keyboard (here in my little office/shed). Then some of them discovered the fat in the coffee creamer I use (in my coffee) and they started hanging around in my coffee cup. I thought I had brushed all of them off before taking a sip, but apparently I missed one. I must have gotten it in my mouth when I took a sip, and it stung me on the tongue.

Domestic fire ants are much less aggressive than imported fire ants, and their stings aren't anywhere near as painful, from what I've read. I've wiped my computer desk and keyboard down with some natural insect repellant. It seems to be doing a good job. I can't see any ants right now.