Residents warned of dangers from fire ants

Aaron Clemens

Monday, June 12, 2000 | 1:52 a.m.

Marching toward Las Vegas

Colonies of imported red fire ants have been spotted around Clark County. The ants are dark red and approximately 1/4 inch long. They are very aggressive when disturbed.

Fire ant safety

Ants may seem like tiny pests, but the imported red fire ants can cause large problems.

Texas spends $300 million annually combating these aggressive and more toxic species of fire ants, Nevada entomologist Jeff Knight said Thursday. Another $300 million in goods are damaged by the pests each year in the Lone Star State.

Individual homeowners, such as Knight's brother in College Park, Texas, spend $300 a year for two treatments just so they can use their yard for a barbecue in peace.

So far all known imported red fire ants infestations in Southern Nevada have been contained, said Knight, of the Nevada Department of Agriculture. State officials hope the insects can continue to be identified and eliminated before they can establish permanent residence here.

"We want to keep them out of Southern Nevada," Knight said.

Five infestations were found and destroyed last year. This year four colonies have already been spotted, most likely coming from New Mexico, Knight said. State officials have found an average of two to three infestations per year in the last decade.

Fire ant infestations can become a severe problem because of their detrimental economic effect and their painful stings, he said.

The fire ant sting causes an alkaloid wound that feels like getting burned by a match, he said. Bites get red, blister up and may get infected.

When the ants attack, they also put out a chemical sign to their fellow ants to begin to bite. Colonies grow up to 500,000 ants, Knight said.

The bites can be fatal. "It's rare but some people have severe reactions," he said.

Knight cautioned against indiscriminately killing all ants in the hope of eliminating imported fire ants. Killing native red ants creates a biological vacuum imported red fire ants would rush to fill, he said.

The primary way the ants are brought to the state is through imported plants.

Because of the infestations established throughout the South, California and New Mexico, people should inspect any plants before taking them home, Knight said. Those who find ants in a new plant should get a sample and send it to the state Agriculture Department.