fire ants are painful and destructive pets the fire ants earned its name because of its venom the insect uses a wasp-like stinger to inject the venom which cause a painful burning sensation and leaves tiny itching pustules the ants will swarm over anyone or anything that disturbs their nests in addition to causing pain fire ants damage many crops by eating the plant and by protecting other insects that damage crop fire ants are attracted to soybean eggplant corn okras