Insect Management
Red Imported Fire Ants
Community Abatement - Little River County
A Community Abatement Program
Joe Paul Stuart, County Extension Agent
Little River County, Arkansas
Residents of Little River County, Arkansas have been fighting the red
imported fire ant since 1990. Although we had had the ant prior to that
date it wasn't until the 200-year flood that occurred in June 1990 were
fire ants really a problem. In 1994, after much discussion and various
public meetings sponsored by the Cooperative Extension Service (CES),
County Judge Clyde Wright and the committee formed by the quorum court,
came up with a solution that works well for this small rural county of
13,360 residents. Little River County offers an "at cost" bait product
to residents of the county.
Initially started with $1,000 of 'seed money' to purchase the bait
through a nearby distributor --- the program has grown such that in 1997
over $15,000 of bait was sold to county residents. The bait material is
sold in various size containers, from 1 to 4.5, to 25 pound bags.
When distribution was initiated in May 1994, Cooperative Extension
Service (CES) representatives would be present to give out information
and answer any questions about the products' use. Today the CES
representative is not present on distribution day, although CES
materials are available. Distribution of the material is conducted one
day a week, from 1 to 4 pm. A county employee collects and records the
money collected. Although there were initial problems they have worked
themselves out over the past three years.
The program is supported by the community and plans are to continue the
program indefinitely. Youth involved in 4-H, developed a coloring book/workbook
entitled "The Hidden Truth About Red Imported Fire Ants" and a
video entitled "Imported Fire Ants: A Youth Perspective". Both
of the materials are available through CES offices in fire ant infested
counties. The 4-H Ant-Stompers presented a skit at the 1998 Imported Fire Ant
Conference in Hot Springs. Children are most susceptible to being stung by fire
ants due to their curiosity and lack of knowledge about fire ants, and the
educational materials were developed to assist in educating them about fire
ants. We have found that the youth are educating the adults. Children will go
home and tell their parents about what they have learned through a fire ant
education program.
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Imported Fire Ant Community Abatement |
