Little red fire ants. You’ve heard of them, because their sting is epic.

Maybe you’re thinking they’re out there, on Hawaii island or somewhere far away — and someone else’s problem. That illusion was burst in our Maunawili neighborhood recently when little fire ants (LFA) were discovered at several homes.

The LFA is a particularly nasty invasive insect: They’re tiny (about as big as the tip of a pen), but the painful stings create welts that can last for weeks and cause serious allergies.

The ants also attack animals including cats, dogs, birds, even baby sea turtles — sometimes blinding their victims. They nest in trees and forage on the ground. The infestations can make yards and farms unusable.

Fortunately, unlike the uncontrollable coconut rhinoceros beetle, if caught early enough little fire ants can be eradicated, but only through a year of repeated treatment. If we care about our homes and local agriculture, we need to work now to prevent the spread of LFA.

If you’ve been following the news, you know there is little money at the state Department of Agriculture to deal with this issue. Meanwhile, LFA are being introduced around the island through plants transported here from the island of Hawaii (where the LFA is now beyond control) and sold in local Oahu nurseries.

At least one Waimanalo nursery has been spreading the ant knowingly. The Department of Agriculture will not reveal the name of this nursery, which then makes every nursery in Waimanalo suspect, hurting those that are being responsible.

When our neighborhood learned of a couple of previous local infestations, we decided to mobilize. Our hui of five neighbors got LFA test kits in bulk from the Oahu Invasive Species Committee. These included stamped envelopes for returning the test samples for identification.

The OISC outreach coordinator, Erin Bishop, came to talk to us about the procedures and issues involved with the identification and eradication of little fire ants. She created a map of our area and we divvied up the streets, so that each hui member would visit a number of houses.

As a result of our efforts, two more locations in our neighborhood were discovered to have the ant and we are now helping the OISC get permission to survey around the located areas and then treat the infested yards.

Please consider forming a group that will reach out, educate others, and distribute ant test kits. Because of the lack of sufficient state funding, we “regular folks” need to pitch in, not wait on help that may come too late.

Currently active sites of LFA are in Ahuimanu, Aina Haina, Hauula, Kaelepulu, Kahala, Kaneohe, Kualoa Ranch, Laie, Lanikai, Makiki Heights, Makiki Lower, Mililani Mauka, Olomana, Papakolea, Pearl City, Waihee, Waiahole, and Waimanalo.

Especially if you live in one of these areas, contact OISC and help to contain the ant. Their number is (808) 266-7994 and email is oisc@hawaii.edu. More information is available online.