Red imported fire ant colonies have been discovered in northern Suffolk, Va.
The ants, imported from South Africa in the 1930s, "are known for their aggressive behavior and venom-packed sting," city spokeswoman Debbie George said in a news release.
The colonies were found in the Belmont Park, Va., area. A resident spotted them and reported it to Public Works.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services confirmed that they were red imported fire ants and treated the mounds to kill the invasive pests, George said.
"There is a high probability that more fire ant colonies exist in the area," George said.
The ants don't take kindly to anyone disturbing their mounds and tend to react by swarming and attacking. Some people are allergic to their bites.
Fire ant mounds are found in warm, sunny locations such as landscaping and lawns, around trees and shrubs, along sidewalk cracks and against buildings. Mounds average 10 to 24 inches in diameter and are about 18 inches high, though larger mounds are common. The mounds could extend 6 feet underground, George said.
The state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has seen an uptick in the number of calls it has received this year about fire ants. Since 1989, the ants have been reported in about 21 or 22 cities and counties in the state, mostly in the Hampton Roads area, said Larry Nichols, program manager in the Plant and Pest Services Office.
It's not really clear what's sparking the increase in reports. Perhaps the water table is increasing, pushing the ants to the surface, he said.
Anyone who suspects a red imported fire ant infestation should use caution and contact the local Virginia Tech extension office or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 804-786-3515. The extension office recommends that individuals and commercial pest control operators not try to treat fire ant infestations.
For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Web site at http:// www.vdacs.virginia.gov.