Insect Management
Red Imported Fire Ants
Community Abatement - Hope (Hempstead County)
A Community Abatement Program
Gerald W. Alexander, County Extension Agent
Hempstead County, Arkansas
The Fire Ant Abatement Program established in Hope in May 1996 was
patterned after the similar program in Texarkana. A fee of $1.50/1,000
square feet of property was assessed each property owner. It continued
in 1997 and 1998.
The City of Hope, under the direction of Dale Garrett, treats
approximately 150 acres with a broadcast application of Logic and/or
Award at 1 lb/A. A rate of 1 1/2 lb/A was used on areas with extensive
fire ant populations. Approximately 110 of the 150 treated acres was
city property (public parks and cemeteries). Only 40 homeowners were
enrolled in 1996, but the success of the program encouraged more
homeowners to enroll for spring 1997 and 1998 treatments.
Following the original broadcast application of the bait, bi-weekly
visits to homes with newly recognized fire ant mounds were conducted.
The mounds were individually treated with Orthene.
The program has been successful, attaining an estimated control of 95% in
the treated areas. The city will expand the program as demand grows.
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