What are Little Fire Ants?

… and why should I care.

Little fire ant = Big problem. In infested areas, LFA form super-colonies, carpeting forests, pastures, and neighborhoods—even invading houses. When the wind blows, stinging ants rain down from trees. Children can’t play in their yards without being stung. LFA are not easily controlled—they destroy the people’s lives wherever they spread.

• TourismIf visitors are stung while sunbathing at the beach and hiking to waterfalls, our state’s largest industry will collapse.
• AgricultureHawaii has a $88 billion dollar per year agricultural industry. Fruit orchards and coffee farms have already lost employees due to the stinging ants. Farmers in Tahiti spend significant amounts of money controlling LFA.
• Organic farmingOrganic farming represents is a growing industry in Hawaii. Pesticides are the most effective means to reduce LFA populations, which would compromise a farm’s organic status.
• Public health and safetyOne farmer reported a swollen eye after only a few stings. Some individuals my suffer from anaphylactic shock following LFA stings.
• Quality of lifeImagine having to wear long sleeves, pants, and shoes whenever walking outdoors! Our keiki wouldn’t be able to play outside safely. In Tahiti entire families have abandoned their land because of LFA.
• Pets and domesticated animalsCats, dogs, livestock, and wild animals have gone blind after repeated stings in the eye.
• Native insectsHawaii is home to some of the world’s rarest and most unusual insects—such as the Kamehameha butterfly, the Hawaiian happy faced spider and the carnivorous caterpillar. Little fire ants monopolize resources and drive other insects out.
• Sea turtlesLittle fire ants have attacked sea turtle nests and hatchlings in Florida.
• Seabirds and songbirdsBaby birds have no protection against a swarm of stinging ants. LFA threaten ground nesting seabirds as well as tree-dwelling songbirds including native species.

Learn about the biology of LFA at the
Hawaii Ant Lab- www.littlefireant.com)

Spot the Ant. Stop the Ant.

Look for signs of infestation:

Painful stings on the neck and torso.

Pets blinded by stings in the eye.

Tiny pale orange ants as long as a penny is thick (1/16th inch).

Are ants stinging your neck or upper body?

Report it! The little fire ant is in Hawaii, but is not widespread. Report LFA to your local invasive species committee at Report-a-Pest or call 643-PEST.