Beware of the red fire ants

Our post this week on the lament of the ant fighters brought some interesting suggestions — lots and lots of cloves, for instance — and a reminder from the county agricultural commissioner that red imported fire ants are here and causing trouble. They are aggressive, their sting hurts and they are currently found in portions of Long Beach, the areas bordering Orange County and up into Industry and Diamond Bar. If you see any, the county wants to know about it:

If RIFA were allowed to spread unchecked it could lead to an increase in public health issues, such as sting injuries. We don't want this invasive insect to make itself at home in Los Angeles County. The hard part is finding the ant colonies.

RIFA are distinguished from other ants by the multiple sizes of colony members, ranging from one-sixteenth to one-fourth inch. They are reddish-brown in color; require moisture, and prefer open, sunny turf areas. RIFA often build distinctive mounds in landscaped areas (possible to 18 inches wide), which appear as small piles of fine soil with small holes (no single entrance).

Red Imported Fire Ants are known for their quick, fierce response to any disturbance of their nest. Each ant can sting numerous times, injecting venom that feels like a poke with a hot needle. Each sting will hurt for about an hour, and forms a blister-like sore filled with fluid.

Contact info is after the jump.