Little Fire Ants are highly invasive and have become a significant concern in Hawaiʻi. These ants are notoriously small but despite their size, their sting delivers a disproportionately painful and irritating sensation, often described as a sharp, burning itch that can last for hours or even days, sometimes resulting in welts. LFA can also cause injury to pets, infecting their skin or eyes.

LFAs can form super colonies with multiple queens, allowing them to spread rapidly and reach high densities. They infest a wide range of habitats, including trees, plants, soil, homes, and agricultural fields. But plants or other materials that are left undisturbed in an LFA-infested area for a month or two can become infested with the ants. Their presence can disrupt outdoor activities, harm pets, and negatively impact agricultural workers and crops.

LFA are typically slow-moving and can be found on vegetation, in leaf litter, or crawling on surfaces.

For the latest on LFA monitoring statewide, check out the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) dashboards. You can also file a report on potential infestations on residential properties on O‘ahu.