Fire ants are a growing problem in the southern United States.  Avoid them whenever you can and take basic protective measures when going outside, such as wearing shoes and socks.  Be on the lookout for a severe allergic reaction in anyone who has been stung, and be prepared to get emergency medical help if needed.

If you are the victim of fire ants, chances are you’ll know immediately.  The ants usually attack in swarms, racing up vertical surfaces (such as your leg) when their nests are disturbed.  They are aggressive and determined.  Each fire ant can sting several times.
To identify fire ant stings, look for groups of swollen red spots that develop a blister on the top.  Stings hurt, itch, and can last up to a week.  Some people have a dangerous allergic reaction to stings and will need to seek immediate medical help.

Getting Relief

Treat mild sting reactions by washing the affected area with soap and water and covering with a bandage.  Applying ice or a cold compress can reduce the pain.  Topical treatments include over-the-counter steroid creams to reduce pain and itch.  Bites should go away in about a week.  Scratching can cause the bites to become infected, in which case they may last longer. 

Anyone can develop an allergy to fire ant stings at any time, although people who’ve been stung before are at higher risk of doing so.  A dangerous allergic reaction can be fatal.  Signs of a dangerous allergic reaction include sudden difficulty with breathing or swallowing, as well as nausea and/or dizziness.  Symptoms develop quickly after exposure.  It’s critical to get emergency medical treatment at once if you see signs of an allergic reaction to a fire ant sting.

Avoid Contact

The best way to avoid fire ant stings is to keep away from fire ants.  If you see a nest, resist the temptation to disturb it.  Wear shoes and socks when working and playing outside.  If you are attacked by fire ants, move away from the nest and brush the ants off with a cloth or while wearing gloves, so they can’t sting your hands.

What Can Be Done?

Fire ant colonies are notoriously hard to destroy.  There are some poisonous baits which may wipe out fire ants with regular application.  The most common is piretherine, a pesticide derived from plants.  The best time to use baits against fire ants is during the fall, when the ants are less active.  Professional pest control companies can also treat fire ants.

Source:  Healthline.com

Pollinators are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we take each day, and yet pollinators are at critical point in their own survival.  Many reasons contribute to their recent decline.  We know for certain, however, that more nectar and pollen sources provided by more flowering plants and trees will help improve their health and numbers.  Increasing the number of pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes will help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across the country.

The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge (MPGC) is a nationwide call to action to preserve and create gardens and landscapes that help revive the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America.  The goal is to promote and count 1 million such forage locations across the United States.  Anyone can be part of the MPGC - Plant and share your garden with others using #polliNATION.

Pollinators Gardens Should:

• Use plants that provide nectar and pollen sources
• Provide a water source
• Be situated in sunny areas with wind breaks
• Create large “pollinator targets” of native or non-invasive plants
• Establish continuous bloom throughout the growing season
• Eliminate or minimize the impact of pesticides.

From individuals, to schools, community groups, and businesses – everyone can make a difference!

Source: National Pollinator Garden Network

If you frequently hike or enjoy the great outdoors with your pet, please take care to prevent painful encounters with snakes. Bites occur most often in between March and October when snakes are most active. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, a snake bite is always considered an emergency - a venomous snake bite can be fatal if not treated immediately, and even a bite from a nonvenomous snake can be dangerous for your pets.

Avoid chance encounters with snakes:

• Keep your yard tidy by clearing away undergrowth, toys and tools that make great hiding places for snakes.
• Keep walkways clear of brush, flowers and shrubs.
• Clean up any spilled food, fruit or bird seed, which can attract rodents - and therefore snakes - to your yard.
• When walking your pet, keep him on a leash.
• Steer your pet clear of long grasses, bushes and rocks.
• Snakes can strike across a distance equal to about half their body length. If you see a snake, head back the way you came.
• Familiarize yourself with the snakes that are common in your area. In the event of a bite, identifying the type of snake may help with your pet's treatment.

Recognize Snake Bite Symptoms:

• Local or general swelling
• Bleeding
• Intense pain
• Low blood pressure
• Dead tissue around the wound
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Renal failure

What to Do If You Think Your Pet's Been Bitten:

• Remember to stay calm.
• Keep your pet calm, too, by limiting his activity.
• If your pet was bitten on the neck, remove his collar.
• If possible, keep the location of the bite below heart level.
• Seek veterinary care for your pet immediately.
• Treatment options such as cold packs, ice, tourniquets, alcohol, bleeding the wound and trying to suck out venom should not be attempted in place of getting your pet to the vet - they may just waste precious time.
• Always keep your personal safety in mind and do not try to catch or kill a snake yourself.
• Even if you think a snake is dead, never handle him. Some dead snakes are capable of inflicting a bite by muscle contractions.

Source: ASPCA

Prevent Child Heatstroke in Cars

Even great parents can forget a child in the back seat, and caregivers who aren't used to driving kids are especially likely to forget. A change in a caregiver's normal routine is another risk factor. Unfortunately, heatstroke is one of the leading causes of death among children. Be sure to follow these three important rules to prevent child heatstroke in your car:

• Never Leave a Child Alone in a Car
  • It's never OK to leave a child alone in a car, even for a few minutes, and even if the car is on.
  • Opening windows will not prevent heatstroke.
  • Heatstroke happens even on cloudy days and in outside temperatures below 70 degrees.
  • Don't let kids play in an unattended vehicle.
• Look Before You Lock
  • Always check the back seats of your vehicle before your lock it and walk away.
  • Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child's car seat when it's empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.
  • If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check that your child arrived safely.
• Take Action if You See a Child Alone in a Car
  • Don't wait more than a few minutes for the driver to return.
  • Don't worry about getting involved in someone else's business—protecting children is everyone's business.
  • "Good Samaritan" laws offer legal protection for those who offer assistance in an emergency.
  • If the Child Is Not Responsive or Is in Distress, Immediately:
    • Call 911.
    • Get the child out of the car.
    • Spray the child with cool water (not in an ice bath).
  • If the Child Is Responsive:
    • Stay with the child until help arrives.
    • Have someone else search for the driver or ask the facility to page them.

Source: Safercar.gov