By Everett Brazil III Fire ants have been steadily making their
way out of Mexico and infesting the Southeastern United States,
leaving virtually every county near the Gulf Coast under
quarantine. The ants also have affected Oklahoma, where more
than 20 counties on the quarantine. With the drought encouraging
many cattle producers to import hay and other feed from outside
the state, the risk is high to bring the insect into Oklahoma.
It is possible to avoid infestations, and the Oklahoma
Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is
cautioning producers who are buying hay outside the region to
protect human and livestock interests in the county. Many
species of fire ants are native to Oklahoma and do not pose a
health hazard. It is the red imported fire ant, native to South
America, that is presenting a risk in the U.S. Imported fire
ants are aggressive when disturbed and come out of their mound
to protect their territory. Victims may not feel the ants until
they have swarmed their body, increasing