more... > Ants > Red Imported Fire Ants > Hurricane Katrina > Research Confirms Storms Eliminated Fire Ants In Some Areas The destructive force of tidal surges from hurricanes Katrina and Rita at least had one benefit – controlling fire ants, according to researchers from the LSU AgCenter. LSU AgCenter entomologist Dr. Linda Hooper-Bui recently said field surveys in the area of Plaquemines, St. Bernard and Orleans parishes area after Hurricane Katrina and in Southwest Louisiana after Hurricane Rita showed the fire ant population was far below normal in areas flooded by storm surge. Be On Lookout For Fire Ants In Areas Where Flooding Occurred Fire ants can be a serious problem after hurricanes – particularly in flooded areas, according to experts with the LSU AgCenter.