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Insect Management - Red Imported Fire Ants - U.S. History

Insect Management—Red Imported Fire Ants—U. S. History Source: www.aragriculture.org
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