The imported fire ant: dimensions of the urban problem.

Although the imported fire ant is a known rural problem, the problem it may pose to urban dwellers has not been documented. A telephone survey of 240 households selected by a probability sample of an upper middle class suburb of New Orleans was carried out to ascertain the experiences of residents with fire ants from June to August 1973. Overall, ant stings were reported for 29% of the study population, with sting rates of 55% among children under 10 years old. Among those stung, at least minimal allergic reactions were reported for 17%, and 4.4% required medical consultation. Of households with outdoor premises, 55% reported fire ant infestation, 86% of these used pesticides for fire ant control, and few felt that community assistance was needed for private property. Half of the respondents, however, favored a community control program for public grounds. These data may provide a basis for decision as to the need for community efforts in fire ant control.