Summer has finally arrived, which means more time outdoors and fun in the sun. Warm weather also brings not so fun times such as sunburn and insect stings. A relatively new resident of (within the last decade) Jackson County is the Imported Fire Ant, which also likes the same environments you go for recreation in the summer. These ants are about 1/8-1/4 inch with reddish- brown and black color and have 2 nodes and 10 segmented antennae. They live in colonies called “mounds” that are in open sunny areas like ballfields, open space in parks, sidewalks, road shoulders and landscaped areas.
Jackson County Public Works are doing a really good job treating public spaces so that populations of these ants are kept about 90% down, however it is impossible to eradicate. So while playing sports, walking your dog or picnicking at one of our well managed and beautiful public parks or school grounds it is best to also take precautions yourself. Some of things you can do to decrease a bad experience with these ants is to follow some of the listed practices
Watch your step and your young ones while pushing a baby strolling, wheelchair, leaning against a fence post or at a family cookout at a picnic table. If you do find yourself standing on one of these fire ant mounds is not to panic, just remove them quickly with a quick and repetitive brushing motion. Rinsing with water will make them hold on and sting. Also, remove your infested clothes quickly and change clothes if possible or shake out your clothing thoroughly. A sting can be treated like any other insect bite is to treat with a cold application like ice and insect sting ointments. Watch out for raised white pustules at the site of the sting for the next 30 minutes. Because the sting is not barbed, fire ant workers can sting multiple times. Although rare like bee stings, fire ant stings can cause severe swelling, trouble breathing or any other sign of a severe allergic reaction seek emergency medical aid immediately.
Article written by Robert Hawk, County Extension Director of Jackson and Swain County. For more information please contact Robert at 586-4009 or 488-3848 or robert_hawk@ncsu.edu
