Attack of the RIFAs
Fire Ants: A Health Hazard In Your Backyard
RIFAs, like malaleucas, march relentlessly forward throughout Southwest Florida – and much of the United States below the frostline - crowding out and decimating the natural local populations, moving with no fear of attack by natural predators. They now infest over 260 million acres of land throughout the south, ranging from North Carolina and Texas to Florida, and have recently been found in New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. They have no natural enemies in America. RIFAs are Red Imported Fire Ants, and pose a significant health hazard to humans wherever they exist.
The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis Invicta Buren,
was first introduced from Brazil into either Mobile, AL or Pensacola, FL
between 1933 and
1945. Solenopsis geminata, our native fire ant, is
no competition for this newcomer; in fact, a study of one part of Texas
showed eleven hundred RIFA colonies replacing 180 native colonies in a three
year period, increasing at a six to one ratio. RIFAs are serious business.
Fire ants damage crops, can injure livestock as well as wild mammals such as
deer, rodents and birds, and cause an estimated billion dollars worth of
damage to the economy annually.
They belong biologically to the same order as bees and
wasps. Fire ants both bite and sting. When we refer to “ant bites,” in the
case of the fire
ant what we actually feel is the sting that follows the
bite. If you’ve been unfortunate enough to catch a fire ant in the act of
attacking, you may have noticed that it’s not brushed off easily. This is
because the bite with the jaws is used solely to clamp the ant securely onto
the victim while it immediately inserts its rear end stinger into its victim
and injecting a highly concentrated toxic venom from its poison sac. And
this insect stings repeatedly, usually in a circular pattern of seven or
eight quick, efficient jabs.
A RIFA mound can contain as many as 250,000 ants, and while being stung by a single ant is a painful experience, being swarmed by thousands within a matter of seconds is not unheard of. This is the preferred tactic used to actively attack small animals such as baby birds or mice, and may also be used defensively against humans inadvertently stepping on a mound. Hundreds or thousands of workers will quickly and silently swarm onto a victim but not begin stinging right away; instinctively they wait until large numbers are in place, and then a chemical signal is emitted and the stinging begins all at once. This allows for a larger dose of venom to be administered, increasing the chances of subduing the prey… or the person.
Symptoms of a sting include a strong burning sensation with itching, usually subsiding within an hour, but stings may produce a wide range of reactions, including swelling. Stings are followed by the formation of a small blister at the site of each sting within the next four hours. A white pustule forms in a day or two.
Although stings are not usually life threatening, they can easily become infected and may leave permanent scars. Treatment is normally aimed at preventing secondary infection, which can occur if the pustule is scratched or broken, allowing bacteria to enter. On rare occasions, anaphylaxis – or a generalized, systemic allergic reaction to the fire ant stings – can occur, and may be life-threatening. This usually occurs in persons sensitized by a previous sting. It may be manifested by flushing, general hives, swelling of the face, eyes, or throat, chest pains, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling or slurred speech.
The seriousness of RIFA stings is an important public health concern in part because the associated medical costs run into the millions of dollars annually, but particularly because of its potential for causing death.
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