Imported fire ants (IFA) are spreading into Kentucky. Since 2000, the Land Between the Lakes area has had isolated incidences of fire ants. In 2022, IFA were found in southern Kentucky, specifically McCreary, Whitley, and Knox counties. Fire ants are a significant health concern and can be agricultural pests. Worker ants will vigorously defend their nest, often resulting in dozens of stings on people and animals. The sting site will burn and become inflamed. Anaphylaxis is possible in sensitive people.

Unfortunately, in 2022, reports of fire ant mounds began to arrive from McCreary County in southeastern Kentucky. Educational programs enlisting the help the agriculture community and the general public were conducted by the ANR agent.  Subsequent inspections over the course of a few months revealed that fire ants are also present in Whitley and Knox Counties. These counties  are  home  to  numerous  nests,  most associated with roadsides and construction sites but they have been found on private property as well.  It is difficult to know exactly how they entered Kentucky. Fire ants can move naturally with wind currents. It is also  possible they were introduced with the movement of material like pine straw, mulch/compost, or possibly soil. Additionally, fire ants can be inadvertently moved in hay bales or even heavy machinery such as earth moving equipment and forestry equipment. They can also float as an ant “life raft” when there are floods. It is thought that this waterborne method may be how they arrived in western Kentucky. Once introduced, the colonies have gotten larger and eventually reproduced by sending out new queens to start their own nests.  UK entomologists have worked closely with agents to try various treatment options.  This is an ongoing process.  As fire ants become more widespread in Eastern Kentucky, quarantines could be introduced that might restrict the movement of nursery goods, soil, heavy machinery, and hay.