REGULATORY SERVICES
Fire Ant Suppression and Eradication
The red imported fire ant Solenopsis
invicta has plagued U.S. farmers, homeowners, livestock, pets, and wildlife
ever since its accidental introduction at Mobile, Alabama, in the 1930's.
The red imported fire ant has continued to spread and currently infests Alabama,
Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico,
North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Puerto
Rico. This stinging native of South America is also a concern for nursery
shippers in infested states. When nurseries ship from infested
areas to uninfested areas of the country, they are required by law to
take special precautions to prevent the fire ants from moving with plants
or soil. Precautions are mandated by the Federal
Imported Fire Ant Quarantine regulating such nursery stock shipments.
In 1989, the first fire ant infestation was detected in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Since that time, fire ant infestations have been confirmed in eight counties and ten independent cities. To date, all fire ant infestations appear to have been introduced into Virginia on nursery stock or other plant products from infested areas. With assistance from USDA, the Office of Plant and Pest Services attempts to eradicate each fire ant occurrence. Our inspectors use appropriate treatment methods recommended and outlined by the USDA.
Fire ant mounds are found in warm, sunny locations such as landscape beds, lawns, around trees and shrubs, along sidewalk cracks and against buildings. If disturbed, theses ants are generally aggressive and can inflict painful stings. Fire ants are invasive pests of growing concern in our state. If you suspect that you have discovered a red imported fire ant infestation, please use caution and contact your local extension office or the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 804/786-3515.
Imported Fire Ants: An Agricultural Pest and a Human Health Hazard
Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project