Re: CULT: Fire Ants
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: CULT: Fire Ants
- From: S* M* <7*@CompuServe.COM>
- Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:32:55 -0600 (MDT)
June Ellen wrote:
: I have seen red ants out by the University, but are they Fire Ants?
I haven't seen anything except our native red ants. An established colony does
make a pretty big hill, and their bites feel like fire -- but those who should
know say they're not the same ants that invaded the southeast.
One of our local wits speculated that when the Fire Ants arrive they will be
turned back at the Texas border by the combined forces of the New Mexico reds &
blacks. Having witnessed some of the local ant wars, I'm not sure that comment
was completely tongue-in-cheek.
I don't look forward to their arrival, though. Even the native ants can do a
lot of damage to the iris. They carry weed seeds into the iris beds, their
tunnels cause irrigation problems, and when they get hungry enough they even
nibble on the rhizomes -- not to mention the pain and suffering of any human who
gets in their way.
Sharon McAllister (73372.1745@compuserve.com)
Southern New Mexico
