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.

If a person encounters one of these floating balls of fire ants, it can be seriously bad news, causing potentially serious health problems not to mention many painful bites.

The Extension entomologists recommend the following during times of flooding:

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.

After the floods, ant colonies may have relocated to new areas, especially under debris piles, so caution is recommended. Insect repellents may work to deter foraging fire ants from clinging to you, but are unlikely to be effective if the ants are defending their colony.

The Extension recommends using a fast-acting aerosol insecticide containing pyrethrins if fire ants are detected among flood debris, though these insecticides can be toxic to aquatic organisms, so caution is recommended.

Bait-type insecticides are not recommended, as they are slower to work and disorganized colonies are unlikely to forage for food until they are reestablished in solid ground.

Red imported fire ants are an invasive species in Alabama, originating in South America and accidentally brought into Mobile 75 years ago. They have spread throughout much of the Southeast and Texas, with smaller outbreaks in New Mexico and California.

For more information on fire ants, see the Alabama Cooperative Extension System web site.