The fire ants most likely came from azalea plants purchased three years ago. The ants have been treated and DDA is seeking to eradicate the colony according to nursery inspector Lynn Harrison. A.11 retail stores handling plant material will soon get a letter on the incidence and are asked to be especially vigilant. DDA has in informative 1 page flyer on Fire Ants.
Fire ants are aggressive ants that readily bite and sting.
For most individuals, the sting begins to hurt several minutes to an hour or so after the event. You likely do not have fire ants if you are not stung when you disturb a mound of native species. Be on the lookout for this canker on drought-damaged trees and shrubs. Scattered dead branches on azaleas, rhododendrons, dogwoods, and many other trees and shrubs can be seen at this time of the year. It has been particularly troublesome on rhododendrons lately.