[at-l] Fire Ants

[Thinktraub .]

Also if it's rained recently or the ground is moist (like in a gap),
they'll be crawling all over the place, at least in the summer.  They
migrate after it rains, and patrol every square inch of ground if it's
moist.  If it's been very dry they tend to hunker underground until it
rains.

If you step in a nest (usually but not always a mound) they'll swarm you
very quickly.


On Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 9:03 AM, Tim Rich <athiker89 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> I don't think insect repellent will do anything.  A sting will, well,
> sting a good bit, and it may produce a very small welt that may fester over
> the next few days.  That's about it.  I've grown up with them and been
> bitten hundreds of times.  I've never had a fire ant bite while hiking or
> camping, even south of the AT.  They're a hassle in regular life, but I've
> never had an issue with them setting up tents in Alabama, and they are
> everywhere in Alabama.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, they usually
> avoid compacted soil, so if you're in an established camping area it's
> unlikely to be an issue.  If you go and find a new spot to camp, move a
> little rotted wood or some rocks, you could disturb a colony.
>
> Take care,
>
> Tim
>
>
>   ------------------------------
> *From:* giniajim <jplynch at crosslink.net>
> *To:* Thinktraub Thinktraub <hikeinmountains at gmail.com>;
> at-l at backcountry.net
> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 25, 2012 9:35 AM
>
> *Subject:* Re: [at-l] Fire Ants
>
> Does an insect repellent ward them off?  Do hikers know what the treatment
> is if you do get bitten by them?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Thinktraub Thinktraub" <hikeinmountains at gmail.com>
> To: <at-l at backcountry.net>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 8:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [at-l] Fire Ants
>
>
> > They should be in Erwin and Hot Springs and other southern trail towns
> > soon, if they're not there already.  And the lower elevations of the
> > trail.
> >
> > Since they've made their way up to 3,000 feet in the Smokies already,
> > watch
> > were you set up your tent (or step, or sit) in gaps and other lower
> > elevation areas.  These suckers are bad news.
> >
>
>
>
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