Fire Ants Infest More Than 50 Square Miles

State agriculture officials said Friday that the infestation of fire ants in Orange County is bigger than they first thought: It turns out the stinging insects have colonized at least 50 square miles from Los Alamitos to San Juan Capistrano.

The ant mounds, which officials said are 3 to 5 years old, were found by state agriculture crews with the help of residents who called a toll-free telephone hotline opened this week.

Initially sighted in south Orange County, the insects have turned up in Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia, Portola Hills, Stanton, San Juan Capistrano and Westminster.

These finds were in addition to previous discoveries in Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Cypress. Mounds had also been found in nurseries in South El Monte, Pico Rivera and Rosemead in Los Angeles County and the Riverside County city of Indio.

“It appears that they have been there for quite some time,” said Oscar Hidalgo, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. “These things don’t move so rapidly. What is happening is that residents are becoming more aware that these are not regular anthills.”

Residents are being encouraged to call the hotline to report any suspected fire ant colonies. The line, (800) 491-1899, is staffed during regular business hours, but callers can call after hours and leave a message of any suspected colony locations.

Fire ants live in domed-shaped mounds 6 inches to 8 inches tall, usually found in highly moist areas such as under trees, the edges of lawns and in bedded plants. A disturbed mound can result in an unsuspecting victim being covered with stinging ants.