Imported Fire Ants |
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Background
Two species of Imported Fire Ants (IFA) were introduced into the United States from South America at the port of Mobile, Alabama. The black imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, arrived sometime around 1918 and the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, in the late 1930's. Both species probably came to the port in soil used as ballast in cargo ships. Today, IFA infest more than 320,000,000 acres in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Puerto Rico. IFA are a major public nuisance because of their ferocious sting and aggressive behavior, and also damage several agricultural commodities.
APHIS works to prevent further IFA spread by enforcing the Federal Quarantine (7 CFR 301.81) and cooperating with IFA-infested states to regulate articles, such as nursery stock and soil-moving equipment. Also, APHIS evaluates the efficacy of regulatory treatments for preventing IFA spread by artificial means and revises regulations and procedures as necessary. APHIS works with states, industry, and other Federal agencies to develop and test promising new insecticides and biological control agents.
Links
On-Line Resources
Soil Inhabiting Pests Section (Imported Fire Ant Lab)
State Contacts
Maps and Regulations
Federal Regulations .txt or .pdf
Imported Fire Ant Quarantine Maps (PDF; 635 Kb)
Latest Quarantine Area Changes (PDF; 73 Kb)
Publications
Beekeepers Brochure (PDF)
Fact Sheet
Imported Fire Ant Program Manual (PDF)
Imported Fire Ant: Nurseries and Plant Growers Help Control the Spread (Industry Alert) (PDF)
Imported Fire Ant 2007: Quarantine Treatments for Nursery Stock and Other Regulated Articles (PDF)
Pine Straw Industry Alert
Steer Clear of Delays (PDF)
Contact:
Charles Brown
Program Manager
301-734-4838
E-mail: Charles.L.Brown@aphis.usda.gov