Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Steam Vents parking lot will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon next Monday for the eradication of invasive little fire ants.

Only the Steam Vents parking lot and the trail from the parking lot to Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) will be closed, according to the National Park Service.

As part of ongoing eradication efforts, pest control workers will treat Steam Vents every four to six weeks, with advance notice of closures. The goal is to eradicate the ants from the area.

The first known population of invasive little fire ants was found at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in November of last year. They can deliver a painful sting, when disturbed, and have a devastating effect on native ecosystems and human health.

“Little fire ants are unknowingly brought into the park by people and their vehicles, and can have devastating effects to native ecosystems and human health,” said park ecologist David Benitez in a news release. “We urge everyone to inspect their vehicles and belongings to make sure they don’t accidentally transport little fire ants into the park,” he said.

More information on little fire ants and how to prevent spreading them is available at littlefireants.com.