In the '50s they were common in northern and western Ohio, not as much as in the deep south but pretty common regardless. Now they're extinct here. And we don't have fire ants.
Part of that may be blamed on Hollywood going so hard against the wearing of fur. Raccoon, opossum, mink, coyotes, fox, and all manner of varmints run wild, procreate, and eat up everything they find.
