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Insect Management
Red Imported Fire Ants
U. S. History
Introduction
to 1958 • 1958
to 1980's • 1980
to present • Today
and the Future
Introduction to 1958
RIFA Territory included: 62,448,000 acres infested, included counties
in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South
Carolina, and Texas.
RIFA was introduced into the United States near Mobile, Alabama some
time between 1918 and 1930. The first organized control program was
started in Baldwin Co., Alabama in 1937. RIFA spread rapidly during this
time period from Mobile throughout the state of Alabama, and into Georgia
and Florida. The transport of queens and colonies by movement of nursery
stock throughout the region was a factor in RIFA's rapid movement
throughout the south.
1958 through the 1980s
RIFA Territory included: 263,137,920 acres infested, included ALL the
counties in Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana. Counties in Arkansas,
Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas
--- and Puerto Rico.
In 1958, a federal quarantine was enacted to try to prevent the fire
ant's spread. The quarantine --- still in effect today --- restricted the
movement of soils, sod, hay, potted plants, plants with soil attached, and
used soil-moving equipment to UNINFESTED areas.
In an attempt to meet the rising public outcry for eradication of RIFA,
a widespread eradication program was initiated. Heptachlor was used
initially, and then the bait, mirex was used. Both chemicals were banned
from use in the 1970's due to the impact their use had on other,
non-targeted organisms in the environment.
1980's to present
RIFA Territory included: over 275,637,120 acres infested, included ALL
the counties in Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana. Counties in Arkansas,
Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee,
and Texas --- and Puerto Rico. Isolated colonies have been found as
far west as California, and as far north as Kansas City, Missouri.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) , i.e. the use of multiple tactics to
control RIFA were promoted throughout fire ant infested areas.
Today and the Future
Today RIFA infests over 275,000,000 acres in 11 states and
Puerto Rico with an average density of 1,500 - 3,000 ants/square meter.
Biological control, the use of natural organisms to control or decrease
the impact of its target organism, has become an area of interest within
the community of fire ant researchers. There are parasitic flies, ants,
and other organisms that are currently being evaluated for use in fire ant
infested areas of the United States. However, other IPM tactics are still
being pursued throughout the region. These tactics include the judicious
of pesticides, and other management options.
IN 1998, RIFA was found in California. Currently, California is trying
to determine the best method to minimize the impact this pest can have on
the environment. Currently infestations in several counties have been
located. Check out the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture's Web site for more information.
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Imported Fire Ant |
