Fire ants in TN?? (Memphis, Crossville: home, neighborhood, school)

[cruisekat]

Hi! We too are looking at TN as a relocation possibility from FL, but my big question is.....are there FIRE ANTS in TN??? I can't handle them ANYMORE, and we were wondering if they were in TN and if so, to what degee? Are they everywhere/year round? Also what are the 4 seasons like...do you get any snow? Thanks for any and all advice!!

[MrsMichelle]

I have never ran into fire ants. I know of people who have. I am in the Memphis area. I don't think they are too bad here. Between December and February we get our coldest weather. Some times we get a flurry, some times freezing rain, some times a good blanket of snow. It just depends. We are not known for snowy weather. We mainly get ice. But it is only once or twice during the winter. Our seasons are the same as most states. We get milder winters and hotter summers than some. Spring and Fall are wonderful.

[Kicking4JC]

Yes, fireants exist, but I don't seem them that bad, just when you are more in the outdoor areas. My karate instructor's son was stung / bit by some a few months ago, but that is because he was outside barefoot.

As far as four seasons, that's funny. I think it's only 2 1/2. But then again that's because I'm originally from WI. We get very hot and humidity during the summer and very wet and humidity in the tempertures. Asking me though if 30 and 40 is cold is not a smart thing, as one I'm hot natured, and two, again I'm from WI. We get a few weeks (maybe a month and 1/2) of warm weather and cooler weather for fall and spring but it doesn't last nearly as long as the summers and winter temps.

Just to let you know I'm south of the Tennessee state line, in NW MS but the karate instructor is from Shelby County (Memphis area).

[TC500]

We have them in our neighborhood in Memphis. Some of the kids at my child's school were bit by them on the playground but no one has seen the mound. We also have plenty of mosquitoes, gnats, and other pests. Even though it may get colder than Florida, these bugs have developed a resistance to cold.

[Gene Long]

I assume that there are fire-ants in Tennessee. Can anyone tell me how prevalent they are in the eastern part of the state? We will selling out home here in California and moving to your great state mid summer of next year. We plan on looking carefully at the Crossville area.
Thank you all for the input.

[JayW]

Not sure about the ants... i am in South Fl. but just in Cumberland Cove - which is at the end of Crossville.... Take a look when you are there. Have no clue about the fire ants though.... sorry jayW

[Gene Long]

Thank you for the information

[Magster]

Hi Gene:
It appears fire ants in Tennessee are more in the southern part of the state than in Eastern Tennessee. Check out this website:
http://www.state.tn.us/agriculture/regulate/plants/ifa.html (broken link)
There is a map that pretty much shows where they are located. Of course, that doesn't mean they won't march north at some point. They can be controlled if they crop up in your yard. Believe me, as a longtime Floridian in the process of moving to Campbell County, I know.
Cheers,
Maggie

[pannod]

Great map! Thanks for posting the link. My son is actually allergic to fire ants and almost died at age 3 when he got into an ant bed. He's been through desensitization therapy, but we still keep an EpiPen handy just in case. He's 14 now and probably has outgrown the allergy, but I refuse to take chances. We have a huge fire ant problem in Louisiana. I hate it! I see where Tipton County is not in the quarantined section, so I'll definitely look in this area for a residence.

[Gene Long]

Maggie,

We wish to thank you very much for the web-site info. It appears that Cumberland County is not infested at this time.

Gene