The Growing Fire Ant Infestation (And Where Quarantines Are Happening)

Have you been seeing a lot of fire ants lately? If you live in a southern state in the U.S., chances are your area could actually be under quarantine due to the large numbers of imported red fire ants. That's right, these non-native insects are thought to have been accidentally transported to the U.S. in the 1930s, and have been growing in numbers ever since.

Fire ants can sting repeatedly, and will not stop until they've been killed or removed from what they're stinging. Though a single sting is painful enough, fire ants tend to swarm when angered, which means that you (or your children or pets) will likely suffer a lot of stings and bites should you accidentally disturb a fire ant nest.

In an effort to quell the rise of imported fire ants, the U.S. has begun quarantining areas where these fire ants are prevalent. But it's not the kind of quarantine that asks you to stay inside. Instead, we're attempting to quarantine the ants themselves, by preventing them from being transported to new areas as much as possible.

During a fire ant quarantine, materials that could potentially contain fire ants are prohibited from being moved until they have been inspected and verified to be completely free of fire ants. This extends to things like farm equipment, soil, hay, and live plants. Essentially, if you live in a quarantined area, you aren't allowed to move these things outside of quarantine. You can, however, still buy these things from a business within a quarantined area, as they will follow USDA regulations to have their products inspected for fire ants and certified to leave quarantine.

Currently, all parts of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi are under total quarantine. Some parts of Texas, including Dallas, Austin, and Houston, are under quarantine as well. Regions in Oklahoma near the border with Texas are also under quarantine, as are most of Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina. If you live in one of the states not under total quarantine, you will need to visit the USDA's official quarantine map to determine if your residential area is affected.

Areas under quarantine can change regularly. The quarantine zone may expand as imported fire ants continue to travel. If a region takes steps to address imported fire ants, quarantine may be lifted in certain areas. It's important to keep an eye on the quarantine map if you live in or near a quarantined state. 

If you live in a quarantined area, you already know that you have a much higher chance of spotting a fire ant infestation in your own home or backyard. Fire ant nests (also known as mounds) typically look like large, loose piles of soil. While you're most likely to find one in your yard, fire ants can also enter your home through small cracks and gaps, such as the ones under a closed door or window.

One DIY method of getting rid of a fire ant mound is carefully pouring about three gallons of boiling water directly on the mound, killing the ants and destroying the nest. This does, however, risk angering the ants and could cause you potential harm should the fire ants attempt to attack you. You can also use fire ant bait or insecticides to target the nest. In this case, you'll need to keep young children, pets, and wildlife away from the area as much as possible while the bait is being applied.

Your best bet is to call in a professional exterminator. They can safely remove the fire ant nest, treat your yard, and protect your home from further infestations, too. They'll also have advice on what methods to use based on your specific situation, home and yard layout, and household members, making an exterminator the safest choice.