MAUI, Hawaii (KHON2) — October is ‘Stop the Ant’ month, and one type of ant has been particularly annoying over on Maui for many years now. The Tropical Fire Ant – more commonly known as the red ant.
“It’s mean, it’s aggressive, it stings,” said Lissa Strohecker of the Maui Invasive Species Committee. “It’s fairly easy to treat and get rid of a population, but it’s going to eliminate it from that area for a temporary amount of time. They’re going to re-establish themselves and move back in.”
While all species of ants are invasive to Hawaii, the tropical fire ant is one of the most widespread of the types that can bite or sting.
Prior to the Maui County Fair, Maui County took a variety of precautionary measures to ensure that the War Memorial Stadium Complex would be as protected from the ants as possible.
“The species is attracted to open, grassy, sunny areas, so the definition of a park space in itself,” said County of Maui Director of Parks and Recreation Pat McCall, on why certain measures were necessary. “The problem has been exacerbated by the drought, obviously throughout it, but also once the set up for the fair begins, we stop watering the field.”
Tropical Fire Ants differ from Little Fire Ants, another invasive species and the species most commonly associated with the broad term fire ant, in a variety of different ways, including color and size.
But physical features are hard to identify without a microscope or very close inspection. However, there are a few behavioral differences that will make tropical fire ants stand out compared to some other species.
“Tropical fire ants… they’re fast moving, they’ll crawl up on your feet,” said Strohecker on differences between the different species. “Often times other ant species, the other species we’re worried about in Hawaii, little fire ants, often falls on people from above.”
Strohecker also said that tropical fire ants will be more likely to be found in areas such as near trash cans, drier areas, and are overall more aggressive.
Any issues with ants can be reported to the County of Maui Parks and Recreation: parks.dept@mauicounty.gov
Or alternatively, samples of the ants can be sent to the DLNR, who can help identify the type of ant being dealt with, and then act appropriately.