Children and youth have the highest sting rate.
Stings often lead to secondary infections and severe scarring.
Fire ants invade hospital surgeries, patient rooms, nursing homes, schools and other sites where people are at high risk to stings. Farm equipment is frequently damaged by RIFA mounds in fields and pastures. Livestock and poultry may be injured and even killed by RIFA stings. All nursery stock shipped outside the quarantine area must be treated and certified fire ant free. Fire ants infestations can prevent harvest.