Fire ants are a serious problem. Their painful stings cause a burning sensation, hence their name. While these bites may cause minor discomfort for most, for people with a fire ant allergy, stings may cause a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, making the need for professional treatment that much more critical. While there are a few species of fire ants native to the United States, the most troublesome ants are typically red imported fire ants (RIFA), black imported fire ants (BIFA) or a hybrid of these two species.