Something I've been wondering about for a while now

[importman77]

Are there no fire ants on the trail? In my very limited experience I didn't see any but that's certainly not to be considered proof. The thing is, I've read dozens and dozens of trail journals, hundreds of threads on here and at least 7-8 books about the trail by thru hikers and I don't think I've seen where anyone mentioned fire ants. Before my trip last year I camped in the back yard to try out my tent and I had to be careful to avoid ant beds. But no one says anything about them on the trail. So, is it possible there are no fire ants on the AT?

[Lone Wolf]

nope. ain't no fire ants on the AT

[ChinMusic]

I don't recall ground bugs being a consideration on the AT. There were some ground bees up north but not anywhere I was considering tenting.

[HikerMom58]

I don't recall ground bugs being a consideration on the AT. There were some ground bees up north but not anywhere I was considering tenting.

Ok... soooo I like having a "fresh from the trail" poster on WB... :>)

[Wise Old Owl]

not yet just a matter of time... all those conservationists are embarrassed at the moment,,, won't let the professionals do the right thing... step on them.

[hikerboy57]

I don't recall ground bugs being a consideration on the AT. There were some ground bees up north but not anywhere I was considering tenting.

Ok... soooo I like having a "fresh from the trail" poster on WB... :>)

especially after they have showered

[Sarcasm the elf]

not yet just a matter of time... all those conservationists are embarrassed at the moment,,, won't let the professionals do the right thing... step on them.

What do you mean by "matter of time"? I dont know much about them. Are they invasive?

[HikerMom58]

especially after they have showered

Ha ha!! And maybe in his case clean shaven would be good too.. That white beard is killin me. ;P

[Different Socks]

Are we asking bout the AT? B/c I know they're on the PCT. I accidentally sat down on a fire ant hill!! Never took off my pack faster that the moments after that so someone could brush them off my back!! LMAO!!

[Trailweaver]

It is my understanding from what I've read (newspapers, magazines, etc.) that the fire ants have "migrated" northward from warmer climates (Mexico? I think) and they really can't survive cold weather (yet - I suspect they will adapt). I know that at least 20 years ago I first saw them in south Alabama, and only in the last few years began seeing them here in north Ga. I am seeing them more frequently. . . And every time I do see them starting a "home" I put fire ant killer around their mound. I have so far kept them out of my yard, but do find some yearly.

so, in answer to the question - yes, they are invasive, yes they are aggressive, no, they are not in the mountains (yet), because they cannot take cold winters. Frozen ground kills the mound.

[importman77]

Thanks guys. I suspected the cold had something to do with it. I too have read about them migrating northward. Here in SC you have to fight a constant war against them. They are a very resilient species. I read an article about them once that said that if they're washed away in a flood they form a big ball that floats and rotates continuously so they all get to come up for air. I suspect they'll adapt to the cold and eventually they'll become a nuisance on the trail too.

[daddytwosticks]

They are present here in Cherokee County, NC down in the lower elevations (valleys). I suspect it's only a matter of time before they start making an appearance, especially in Georgia at the lower elevations.

[Starchild]

I'm not sure what a fireant is, though I have a idea, but did run into some sort of biting ants at 2 places. One was at the Dancing Bones Community in NH which is about a mile off the AT and lets hikers stay, I went to pick blueberries and found them. The other time I don't exactly remember, but it is a section where a newly eroded 'washout' was and while trying to climb out of it I did find a little nest of them.

[importman77]

This article says they're moving north and west at a rate of about 120 miles a year. And, unfortunately, they are more resistant to cold than was previously thought.
http://www.napsnet.com/pdf_archive/96/62151.pdf

[Pedaling Fool]

The word Fire Ant is just a common name, which actually is applied to many species and they are not simply migrating from Mexico. Most come from South America and are exported around the world including here. There is also a European species that has been introduced here http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creat...rmica_ruba.htm

Insects are very difficult to idenify, so just because you see a red ant and it bites you doesn't mean it came from South America.

[Malto]

They are present here in Cherokee County, NC down in the lower elevations (valleys). I suspect it's only a matter of time before they start making an appearance, especially in Georgia at the lower elevations.

We had them all over north of ATL. With the AT at higher and colder elevation, I think they would struggle to survive. I had a few problems with various types of ants on the PCT. much bigger issue than mosquitoes, snakes, spiders, bears, mice or people at night.

[Dogwood]

Ouch! What was that? Something stung me.

[marshbirder]

Fire ants are evil, I'm so glad to be out of Florida. I work outside and they are unavoidable. They are serious nest predators in the south too, eating chicks alive any opportunity they get. I've tried to rescue nighthawk chicks covered in them, but they rarely make it. The swamp fire ants (my name) are the freakiest! They float in balls in the water.

http://claycoleman.tripod.com/id180.htm

[Dogwood]

Interesting PF. I didn't know that.

[marshbirder]

Fire ants are evil, I'm so glad to be out of Florida. I work outside and they are unavoidable. They are serious nest predators in the south too, eating chicks alive any opportunity they get. I've tried to rescue nighthawk chicks covered in them, but they rarely make it. The swamp fire ants (my name) are the freakiest! They float in balls in the water.

http://claycoleman.tripod.com/id180.htm

Actually chiggers are evil; I'll take a fire ant over a chigger any day.