Kill it with fire - now!

Yet another reason I don't really think about living in the South - from Alabama.com:

Beware floating fire ant colonies during floods
As Tropical Storm Cindy moves into Alabama, bringing potential flooding to the state, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System is reminding residents to be wary of displaced, sometimes floating, fire ant colonies during and after flooding.

Floods don't kill fire ants, they just move the colonies around a bit, according to Extension entomologists.

The ants join together by the thousands, trapping enough air to float on the water's surface in a makeshift life raft and survive for days, weeks or even months until they find dry land again.

Some recomendations:

• • Avoid contact with floating masses of fire ants.
  • If you are in a rowboat, do not touch the ants with oars.
  • When working in floodwaters, dress appropriately if possible. Rubber boots, rain gear and cuffed gloves can help prevent ants from reaching the skin.
  • If ants contact the skin, they will sting. Remove ants immediately by rubbing them off. Ants will only cling to the skin if submerged. Even a high-pressure water spray may not dislodge them. However, a spray of diluted, biodegradable dishwashing liquid may help immobilize and drown them.
  • When returning to flooded structures, floating ant masses are occasionally encountered--even indoors.

Nuke them from low-Earth orbit...