Possible fire ants
 

I was walking my dog this afternoon, when I saw a couple of ants dragging away an albino caterpillar (or one fatass grub). I stopped to watch for a second, and then poked one of them with a stick. I was horrified to see, a couple of seconds later, about 20 more come tearing towards the caterpillar. I don't know whether they responded to me, and were distracted by food, or if they followed a chemical trail.

The swarming is what prompted me to Google some pics, and I'm pretty sure I have a nest nearby. To make sure, are they in the MA area (I'm about 25 miles S of boston)? And, what should I do, find a new place to walk my dog, or carry a can of Raid? Will they leave us alone unless the nest is disturbed?

Although not an entymologist, I believe it is safe to state that you did not have a incident with fire ants in Boston. AFAIK, they have come as far north as the Carolinas, but not unlike kudzu are staying well south of thee.

That's good to know. Just give 'em ten years and they'll be in Boston :)

take some pics and post em.

We've had fire ants up in North Western PA.. soooo I wouldnt deny the possibility of them being in MA.

Boiling water is always a easy fix for ant problems here.

Get some Amdro from Home Depo, that will get ride of them and it also kills the queen. Your dog walking trail will be safe again.

That sounds like a good idea. If only I could run boiling water through my sprinkler system and kill the nests that pop up every week.