Testing. Testing 1, 2, 3. Is this thing on?

[Lodestone]

Jane, I have to guess that you have not encountered actual LFAs, perhaps something else? I'm talking about the scourge mostly limited (so far) to the east side of the Big Island. I grew up in Florida; am familiar with their fire ants. They are indeed nasty, but if you don't stand in a nest, you probably won't get bit. LFAs fall out of trees and bite whatever they land on. They are so tiny you don't even notice them until they bite.

Also, conventional pesticides wipe out mainland fire ant colonies, but LFA colonies are high up in trees and require specialized baits to control. See Welcome to the Hawaii Ant Lab for details.

ETA: "mostly"... LFAs have spread to Maui, Kauai, and Oahu.

[Lodestone]

Originally Posted by Old_Rider

The other thing you folks mentioned was "invasive chickens".... really? do the folks outside of town have pets? like hogs/chickens/peacocks?
Here in North Florida in the semi-rural/suburbs, the chicken people are becoming more numerous. I don't know if it's the prices of eggs, or someone thinks it they will get rid of bugs better.
I don't mind the hens clucking away (was at a foster family that had all kinds of beasts) but the roosters crowing at 4am after I went to bed at 3am is just toooo much!

Wild chickens are ubiquitous in the islands, wandering throughout. The lack of predators helps. In addition, many in Puna raise their own as well. 3 AM rooster calls are common, but fortunately the coquis drown them out.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Jane M

The ants here in HI are tiny and although their bite stings, it's nothing like the fire ants in FL which are bigger and pack a hardier sting. Don't ever step on a mound of FL fire ants, you will be calling for mercy. You can't flick them off that easy either, they CLING. The HI fire ants can be blown off with a puff of air

The little fire ants found in Florida and the little fire ants founds in Hawaii are basically the same thing - perhaps with a small environmental change. Both originate from South/Central America and the ones who made it to Hawaii likely hitched a ride on a plant.

LFA FAQ

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_ant

[Lodestone]

I seem to be arguing with everybody today.
I'm less sure of myself on this one, but here goes... LFAs have not made it to Florida to the best of my knowledge. Fire Ants (regular sized) showed up about 50 years ago and can be found throughout the southern mainland. They are red and have the diabolical habit of waiting until several dozen are on you before they start biting. It hurts plenty and feels like you are... on fire. They live in large mounds on the ground. They are related to LFAs in name only, although both are nasty.

[whtviper1]

A quick Google would show little fire ants are indeed in Florida and are the same/related to Hawaii ones

[Lodestone]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

A quick Google would show little fire ants are indeed in Florida and are the same/related to Hawaii ones

I stand corrected. And yet my relatives in Sarasota are unfamiliar with the creatures. But then, I was the only one in my family the went (or even considered going) to college...