My understanding is that fire ants are found in southern Utah but not widely distributed. I don't think they can survive the winters up here.

I was weeding around some shrubs last year, and my legs kept itching. But I was FOCUSED, so I ignored it and just kept twitching and once in a while scratching my leg. Then I looked down and saw hundreds of ants on my pants! It was funny, actually. Finally got to know what "ants in my pants" was really like! Before that, I didn't know black ants would actually bite. It wasn't bad, though. Just itchy and mildly annoying.

I doubt if they're fire ants. I've never heard of fire ants living this far north. You might be able to find them in southern Utah, but it's not hot enough here for them.

What kind would they be then? I've never seen black ants swarm in giant piles, but then there's a first for everything. LOL

There are red fire ants here in St George. As kids we called them 'piss ants', but quietly so our moms wouldn't hear. :)I was attacked by them as a child while sitting on a fence post. We also have the small black ants that you are thinking of, but the red ones are much much smaller, about 1/2 or 1/3 the size of the black ones. Maybe they're not even the same, I dont know.

There are fire ants on Hill!!!

Where I "speed" walk with my son on a track around some ponds there's fine silt, sand & whatever else for dirt & rock, & tons of mounds with very busy, fast, aggressive large red ants!

Then again, maybe they're some other type, like red harvester ants? *CONFUSED*

I just don't want to get close enough to find out!

By the way, the ants that son & I see alongside the walking/jogging trails in the dirt & among the weeds & native grass aren't big like carpenter ants, which I just googled.