Hawaii's agriculture officials have their hands full combating "little fire ants" or LFAs described as among the world's most invasive species.

The red ants known for their painful rash-inducing stings and short tempers were first detected on the Big Island in 1999. The current ant population here is now considered too widespread for suppression.

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Ten years later, the little fire ant was found on a farm in Waihee, Maui. Following extensive efforts, the infestation was successfully eradicated only nine months ago.

But inspectors found the ants in a shipment from the Big Island to Maui this summer. And just three months ago, officials found the largest area of fire ant infestation yet discovered in Hawaii on 20 acres of forest near Nahiku on the northeastern shore of Maui.

Today, the ants are known to inflict disaster on local agricultural communities as they shred vegetation while also harming helpful local fauna. They are also known to rain down from trees on residents and are suspected of blinding pets.

According to the Hawaiian Ant Lab, there is only one study that supports the theory that LFAs blind pets. The indirect evidence remains strong, however, and instances of sudden pet blindness in the region are abnormally high.

These problems have provoked Hawaiian officials to take action against the LFAs. The U.S. government is spending a stunning US$7 billion across affected regions (mainly Florida and Hawaii) to contain and eradicate these ants.

It is suspected this infestation is two decades in the making, and was simply long-overlooked.

"The (Agriculture) Department doesn't have enough personnel, and the ant could turn up anywhere," said Randy Bartlett, a coordinator with the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

He added that residents can help by identifying LFAs (not to be confused with European fire ants) in their own backyards.

Tagsfire ant, pest, tiny red ants, animal infestation, bug infestation, invasive species, Insects