By: Dr. Byron Reid
Small insects can cause big problems. Such is the case with the red imported fire ant, which stings more than 20 million people each year. These stings are serious: Fire ants cause six to 12 deaths a year, and an estimated $2 billion is spent annually to combat this issue.
Fire ants are a widespread problem, currently infesting more than 325 million acres across the southern United States alone. This widespread issue can be contributed to the fire ant’s ability to easily adapt to their surroundings. Even if there is flooding, fire ant colonies will float in the water until they find dry land and can re-establish their colony.
In a recent survey, 88% of homeowners from the southern United States claimed to have a fire ant problem, and indicated that their children had been stung at least once by a fire ant in the last year. Given that somewhere between 10% and 15% of all people can have a severe localized allergic reaction to fire ant stings, it’s extremely important to educate yourself, your staff and your customers about the dangers of this pest.
The good news is that fire ant colonies can be controlled and eliminated from certain areas around the home. Most baits will control existing mounds, but the key is to prevent new mounds from forming. Ultimately, taking preventative measures is your best bet at combating fire ant infestation. By pre-treating areas around the home in early June, you will have the best chance of killing the queen and all other ants in the colony.
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