Published on: June 8, 2018
The red imported fire ant, or RIFA for short, is no ordinary red ant. This invasive pest lives up to its name, delivering a sting that causes a burning sensation when its venom is injected into the skin.
People sometimes confuse RIFA with the native southern fire ant. Both can become very agitated when their nest is disturbed but RIFA are more likely to attack. RIFA can bite and sting its victim repeatedly, and its sting is more serious, causing a burning and itching sensation. This is followed by the formation of a white pustule, which can take several weeks to disappear. If not kept clean, the pustules can become infected and may leave permanent scarring. A small...
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Tags: bite (18), CDFA (19), invasive species (11), nurseries (4), pest (177), red imported fire ant (2), RIFA (1), southern California (2), sting (4), UC IPM (373), venom (2)
Focus Area Tags: Pest Management, Yard & Garden
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