Why Mosquito Repellents Don’t Work on Fire Ants

Mosquitoes hunt by detecting CO₂ and skin odors; repellents (DEET, citronella) block those receptors. Fire ants don’t seek blood—they defend the colony. When you disturb a mound, workers swarm offensively; no olfactory trick stops them. Only fast-acting insecticides or caustics deter them, but the cure is worse than the sting.

Side note: Cattle workers attract mosquitoes via breath octenol—use repellent anyway.