Fire Ant Colonies More Widespread

An aggressive species of red fire ant, which officials hoped to contain within a few nurseries and orchards in South County, has infested a larger area of Orange County than originally believed, state agriculture experts announced Tuesday.

The discovery has prompted officials to step up eradication efforts, but they urged the public not to panic if they come in contact with the ants, which can attack en masse and inflict painful bites.

The new colonies appear to have existed for several years but were discovered only recently, said Oscar Hidalgo, spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

The original Orange County infestation, discovered earlier this month in two Trabuco Canyon nurseries, was restricted to about 10 square miles. The latest survey found them in a 20-square-mile area, including Coto de Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo.

State officials are also investigating possible colonies in Cypress, South El Monte and Indio.

Though state officials said there is no need for alarm, residents should be aware of their surroundings and avoid stepping on a colony. The ants’ sting can cause painful, itchy welts.

“They do attack in large numbers, and if [a person is] allergic, they can have serious health implications,” Hidalgo said. “Their sting is very uncomfortable. We have to have some mutual respect for this ant.”

The red imported fire ant, which is common in states along the Gulf of Mexico, has traditionally been kept under control in California through regulation and treatment at nurseries and orchards.

If not checked, the fire ant could eventually spread to all areas of the state, except for the driest deserts and coldest mountains, officials fear.

Hidalgo said the pesky insect, which is an omnivore, can also be a threat to agriculture workers, small animals and endangered species.

“They are not picky eaters,” he said.

The newly sighted colonies, some as large as a basketball, were likely created when the queen ant flew to another area and began mating, Hildalgo said. After the queen settles a new colony, she sheds her wings and has a life span of about seven years.

To prevent further infestation, officials next week will discuss an eradication strategy that involves rendering the queen ant infertile. Such a strategy would halt the spread of colonies and eventually kill the queen.

“There are 11 southeastern states that live with this on a daily basis [but] it is a nuisance,” Hidalgo said. “At this point, no one [in California] is wanting to keep this pest around.”