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COLUMBIA, MO -- Missouri farmers buying hay from southern states to help feed their livestock need to be on the look out for an unwanted guest – red fire ants.

“This kind of sounds an alarm for all others who are purchasing hay that this is a real risk and need to be vigilant about inspecting that hay and being aware what could be in it and what to do if they do find fire ants," said MU Extension Entomologist Richard Houseman.

University of Missouri Extension entomologists say the risk is high for red imported fire ants hitching a ride on hay coming to Missouri.

“If fire ants are found in a farm can have devastating impacts, especially on newborn livestock they also, their mounds have a devastating impact on equipment as its driven and used out on the fields, and finally management practices that are used to combat fire ants can have a significant impact and can change the way things are done on the farm in a lot of different ways," said Houseman.

Hay sold where red imported fire ant populations are present must be USDA inspected and certified before being shipped out.

Many sellers might ignore these regulations, so farmers across the state need to be aware of the risks.

"If you discover aggressive biting ants that are in the hay that you purchased, especially in areas that are south of Missouri, it’s important not to ignore that warning sign. You need to contact your local MU Extension office and also the Missouri Department of Agriculture for more information on how to deal with this threat to keep it from becoming established.

Thus far though fire ants have not turned up in Missouri.

For more information, here's a link from the MU Extenstion office.