Beware of post-hurricane floodwaters: Fire ants could be lurking

ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida is still seeing the environmental impacts of Hurricane Ian days after the storm.

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The St. Johns River Water Management District is warning people in Central Florida to be careful around high water with large populations of red fire ants.

This comes as many people have waded through floodwaters to escape damaged houses due to Hurricane Ian.

Read: Lake Toho expected to crest Friday; worsen flooding

The University of Florida has researched the red imported fire ants native to central South America.

Red imported fire ants have become a part of Florida’s ecosystem since August 2008.

Read: Disaster refugees expected in Central Florida, officials warn

These ants have a home made out of sand called mounds, and when the ants are disturbed, they bite their attackers.

UF researchers said mounds are typically found around lawns, parks and other recreational areas, but they can also be found along the edges of bodies of water.

Since we have experienced heavy flooding due to Hurricane Ian, fire ants have become more common.

Walking through the murky floodwater can be dangerous for residents because they do not know what they are stepping on, whether that is a group of fire ants or a mound.

Read: Daytona Beach woman loses 30 years’ worth of possessions from Ian flooding

Watch this video about flooding below:

Video: Daytona Beach resident loses possessions from Ian flooding, city proposes solutions (WFTV)

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