The red imported fire ant versus humans

The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, originally from South America, has become a major pest in the southeastern US. Its painful stings can result in anaphylactic shock and even death. For my thesis research, I wished to examine how and where people are exposed to these stings and what could be done to minimize this exposure. I surveyed ants around and under picnic benches at four sites in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida. I compared the incidence of S. invicta and other ants for picnic benches on artificial substrate (brick, concrete, gravel, or pavement) versus relatively natural substrate (grass or sand). I found that substrate had no significant effect on the occurrence of S. invicta and other ants; in all cases, incidence rates were very low. I found out, however, that ants were being controlled using chemical poisons at some sites. Future research should examine control methods for efficient elimination of S. invicta in areas where people are likely to be expose