Best Time to See Fire Ants in Maryland
May, March and April is the best time to see fire ants in Maryland. Based on 9 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when fire ants are most active across the year in Maryland.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Red Imported Fire Ant · Sam Kieschnick CC BY
Red Imported Fire Ant · Emmett Collins-Sussman CC BY
Red Imported Fire Ant · Meghan Cassidy CC BY-SA
9 verified observations of fire ants in Maryland, recorded across 5 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When fire ants are recorded in Maryland
Peak month
May
5 records (55.6% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 0% |
| February | 0 | 0% |
| Marchpeak | 1 | 11.1% |
| Aprilpeak | 1 | 11.1% |
| Maypeak | 5 | 55.6% |
| June | 0 | 0% |
| July | 0 | 0% |
| August | 0 | 0% |
| September | 1 | 11.1% |
| October | 0 | 0% |
| November | 0 | 0% |
| December | 1 | 11.1% |
Fire Ants you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Red Imported Fire Ant | 9 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Maryland
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when fire ants are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for fire ants sit around 37 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 44°F | 30°F | 3.3" |
| Feb | 48°F | 31°F | 3.9" |
| Marbest time | 56°F | 37°F | 3.9" |
| Aprbest time | 66°F | 45°F | 4.7" |
| Maybest time | 73°F | 54°F | 4.7" |
| Jun | 83°F | 64°F | 5.4" |
| Jul | 89°F | 70°F | 7.3" |
| Aug | 85°F | 69°F | 7.6" |
| Sep | 79°F | 62°F | 4.9" |
| Oct | 69°F | 52°F | 4.9" |
| Nov | 56°F | 40°F | 3.2" |
| Dec | 49°F | 34°F | 4.8" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Maryland. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
More on fire ants in Maryland:
Sightings of fire ants in Maryland peak in May, when 5 of the year's 9 verified observations are logged — about 55.6% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, March and April.
The quietest stretch is January, February and June, when fire ants are hardest to find — no verified records exist for January. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The fire ants you are most likely to encounter in Maryland are Red Imported Fire Ant — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see fire ants in Maryland
- Antietam National Battlefield — National Battlefield
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail — National Scenic Trail
- Assateague Island National Seashore — National Seashore
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail — National Historic Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park — National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see fire ants in Maryland?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, March and April, based on 9 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are fire ants hardest to see in Maryland?+
January is the quietest month for fire ants in Maryland, with no verified records on iNaturalist.
Are fire ants active year-round in Maryland?+
Fire ants are recorded in 5 of 12 months in Maryland, concentrated around May and March.
More places to see fire ants
More wildlife in Maryland