RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (July 6,2006) – Because wet weather from an active hurricane season brings with it increased insect activity, especially fire ants, homeowners and hurricane clean-up crews may need to be especially mindful of the increased risk of fire ant attack this season.

 “We all know that fire ants build up their mounds when the soil is saturated and attempt to move out of areas that are under water,” say Dr. Mark Deyrup, Ph.D., entomological researcher at the Archbold Biological Station in Lake Placid, Fla. “This means that fire ants are more prominent in wet conditions and more concentrated in non-flooded areas. When dense forest canopy is destroyed by a hurricane, it can temporarily provide an optimum habitat for fire ants.”

One of the most flood-resistant species in the world, fire ants actually flourish in natural disaster conditions, such as those present in major hurricanes. As water rises, fire ants form a “survival ball,” with the queen safely protected inside, and will float until they hit dry ground, sometimes miles away from their original colony. Moreover, fire ants inject two or three times as much venom when “rafting” than at other times. 

Research shows that in wet weather fire ants use the moist, loose soil to create foraging tunnels throughout the top level of soil. Active fire ants near the surface bring them in contact with homeowners and hurricane clean-up crews, increasing the likelihood of severe stings from an insect that attacks its victims in large swarms.

“When disturbed, hundreds, sometimes thousands, of ants attack and inflict painful stings that, in the most severe cases, can be life threatening,” says Nate Royalty, Ph.D., entomologist with Bayer Environmental Science.

However, in an ironic twist, Royalty points out that fire ants are easier to control in wet weather — providing some level of comfort for homeowners and storm clean-up crews.

As a research entomologist, Royalty helped develop the world’s leading professional fire ant control product, TopChoice® insecticide. According to Royalty, wet soil helps activate the product. In fact, with wet weather enticing them to the surface, fire ants are also more likely to come in to contact with the product’s active ingredient fipronil. Exposed fire ants then transfer the fipronil to the rest of the colony. And fipronil binds with organic matter in the soil, making it difficult for even heavy rains to wash it away, which is helpful in states where severe storms and fire ants are prolific.

“If homeowners or communities are concerned about an increased fire ant threat related to this year’s hurricane season, they should check with their lawn care professionals and community officials on whether areas have been properly treated in advance,” Royalty says. Royalty also recommends visiting nofireants.com to learn more.