Little fire ants (LFA) may be tiny, but they pack a powerful punch. Native to South and Central America, these speck-sized invaders have hitchhiked across the Pacific, leaving a trail of welts in their path. Much smaller than the average ant scuttling across your countertop, LFA are about as long as a penny is thick.
Little fire ants are one of the worst invasive species imaginable in Hawaiʻi. They invade houses, gardens, and forests. The ants are also arboreal; they swarm up plants and trees. When disturbed, they drop off, falling onto people and animals. Unsuspecting victims are left with painful stings.
Little fire ants could seriously alter our lifestyle; it’s up to each of us to stop them in their tracks.
Visit www.stoptheant.org to find more information and resources, including instructions on how to survey and report little fire ants.
