Fire ants invade Rialto High athletic fields

As if it's not bad enough the unbeaten Miller Rebels are scheduled to visit Oct. 3, Rialto High School has a more imminent threat to its football field - fire ants.

"We're treating the ant problem and seeing how it goes," Rialto athletic director Dan Williams said. "We found out about it last (Wednesday). A grounds person kicked over a mound and the ants swarmed out."

A sample of the colony was collected and determined to be imported red fire ants, district spokesperson Syeda Jafri said. She said there were "two to three mounds" on the football field and a "few mounds on the baseball field."

Jafri and Gloria Shaw of RUSD Risk Management said the district planned to treat the fields to eradicate the pests, possibly as early as Monday afternoon. An outside company has been contracted to perform the job.

Jafri also said Rialto High parents have been alerted about the hazard.

"They're not anything you want on your shoe or your hand," RUSD Grounds Supervisor Brian Montez said.

UC-Riverside entomologist Les Greenberg said the infestation is a serious matter.

"They can make things unpleasant," Greenberg said. "A small percentage of the population is allergic to the venom, just as with bees or wasps. This could range anywhere from a nuisance to a health threat.''

An square, orange plastic barrier now surrounds an area of the Rialto High football field that extends from the 40- to the 30-yard line on the scoreboard side. As for the baseball field, the venue is fenced and the gates are locked.

The Rialto football teams are now practicing on alternate fields.

Our lower level football games will be played at Rialto Middle school during the time the field is being treated. Due to tonight's varsity away game at Arroyo Valley High School and next weeks by week, our varsity schedule will not be impacted.

Any lower-level games scheduled for Rialto High this week will instead be played at Rialto MIddle School, according to school officials.

Rialto waited 16 years to get a home stadium before finally debuting the venue late last season.