Entomology offers advice to help avoid fire ant bites Published March 24, 2009 By Richard Gildbride 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Since it's that time of year where fire ants start coming out, Moody's 23rd Civil Engineer Squadron Entomology flight would like to provide words of advice that can help deal with this pest. Fire ants are aggressive and will defensively attack anything that disturbs them. When attacking they will bite and sting repeatedly. Symptoms of a fire ant sting include burning, itching and a white pustule that forms a day or two afterward. Often people note a circular pattern of pustules, which may be caused by one ant stinging several times. Although the stings are not usually life threatening, they are easily infected if the skin is broken, and may leave permanent scars. If the only symptoms are pain and the development of pustules, stings can be treated with over-the-counter products that relieve insect bites and stings. If a sting causes severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling or slurred speech, the person should be taken to an emergency medical facility immediately. These are symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylactic shock. Some people may lapse into a coma from just one sting. Compared to deaths from bee and wasp stings, relatively few deaths from fire ant stings have been documented. People sensitive to fire ant stings should seek the advice of an allergist. Once a person has discovered that he/she is allergic to the fire ant venom, extra care must be taken to avoid stings. Often individuals allergic to the venom will carry epinephrine "Epi kits" or undergo treatment in an attempt to desensitize their reaction to the venom. Controlling fire ants is especially difficult mainly due to their high reproductive rate. A single queen ant can produce up to 1000 larva per day with a colony ranging up to 500,000 in number. To help get rid of fire ants or keep them away regularly inspect cars and recreational vehicles to prevent fire ants from tagging along. Also, inspect yards, nursery stock, plants, sod, firewood, hay, soil or other items for the presence of fire ants and their mounds. The use of home remedies is not recommended to control fire ants. Boiling water and the use of flammable materials may kill ants on the surface, but do not kill the queen. Such "treatments" are rarely effective since the queen is generally located too deep in the nest to be destroyed by simple drenching or burning. Attempting to drench fire ant mounds with such materials or to drown or incinerate nests using such materials is dangerous to the individual and harmful to the environment. Baits in the form of broadcast granular products are very effective and can give very high levels of control. Baits are designed to attract foraging fire ants who pick up the bait and carry it back to the nest where it will be consumed and either kill the queen or render her sterile. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registered active ingredients for fire ant control which includes methoprene, abamectin, hydromethalon and fenoxycarb. Individuals applying any treatment should read product labels carefully and follow all directions. Although baits are slow-acting, their use is often the best way to reach the queen and eliminate the colony. A combination of both a broadcast treatment for long term protection and individual mound treatment for faster control in sensitive areas has proven to be the most effective treatment plan. Moody facility managers should initially make use of products available through the 23rd CES self-help store to control fire ants around their buildings. If an acceptable level of control cannot be established within 30 days, if the location of the nest poses a significant risk to building residents, or if fire ants are discovered indoors, call the 23rd CES Customer Service at 257-3678 to establish a work order. If you have any further questions, call the Pest Management Shop at 257-4397.