Introduced species sometimes integrate into the fabric of their new home in a way that doesn’t really seem to cause problems for the original residents. Other introduced species – invasive species – do and the Little Fire Ant (aka the Electric Ant) is one of the latter. They are called fire ants because they sting – people, pets, wildlife – they’ve even been reported to have affected hatchling sea turtles! Add to that the fact that their stings are industrial grade – hence the name fire ant – and they’ve even caused pets and livestock to go blind after repeated stings to the eye.
Targeted efforts to eradicate the LFA are ongoing and you can help monitor for the ants. Report them and you’ll get help getting them out of your yard, garden or neighborhood. Check out http://stoptheant.org/ for a pile of resources including a short ~ 30-minute documentary, details about how to monitor for the ant with peanut butter and a chopstick, and if you are a teacher, how to work spreading the word about the LFA with lesson plans all set up for you.
Here is a three-minute lesson on how to test for the Little Fire Ant: