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Red Imported Fire Ants, Management Options -- Continued from January Issue

Red Imported Fire Ants, Management Options –Continued from January Issue Source: University of Arkansas
Business and Industry Options
Electrical equipment and utility housings are attractive to fire ants. Air conditioners, traffic boxes, and other devices can be damaged. The ants often use electrical and utility housing units as nesting sites. Ants move soil into these units, and chew on insulation and other soft materials. They build up in high numbers around contact points and can cause short circuits.
The attraction is induced only when the ants touch both bare contacts. After contact, the electrical current flows through the ants bodies. The release of chemical cues by ants coming into contact with current excite and attract other ants. Research has also found that RIFA responds to fluctuating frequency greater than static electricity.
Lab research has found that sheathing circuit contacts negates the ants response (research conducted with a 197 volt electric field).
Recommendations around electrical equipment include:
DO NOT use liquid drenches or products that could damage the insulation
Treat mounds on an individual basis using appropriate products, dust or granules. Hydramethylnon baits will provide control in 1 week.
Injectible aerosol products containing pyrethrins give immediate control
INSIDE equipment housing can be treated also --- with products labeled for such use. For example, Rainbow Insect Control containing chlorpyrifos, or Ascend with diclorvos.
Turf and Ornamental Options
The red imported fire ant causes damage to turfgrass due to its extensive mound building and the tunnels which extend from these mounds. The mounds can shade and kill turfgrasses. Lawnmowers can be damaged when the mower blade comes in contact with the mound.
Commercial Sod Producer
Sod shipping within the quarantined area may use any of the products labeled for fire ant control.
Sod shipping outside of the quarantined area
A compliance agreement and required shipping permits MUST be obtained from the appropriate state regulatory agency
The status of labeled or approved insecticides for use in quarantine situations is changing. Consult you state department of agriculture or USDA, APHIS, PPQ Inspector for current recommendations on treating turf
High Maintenance Lawns (golf courses etc.)
A program of broadcasting a bait product on a seasonal basis, and the application every 6 to 8 weeks of a contact insecticide will eliminate all ants in the areas treated.
Homeowner Lawns
A program of broadcasting baits on a seasonal basis is recommended in areas where there are more than 20 mounds / acre. After broadcast of the baits, a treatment with a contact insecticide such as Orthene or Dursban is recommended. If there are fewer than 20 mounds / acre, and you want to preserve native ants -- it is recommended that a mound to mound treatment of a contact insecticide be used.
Landscape materials
When purchasing materials from a nursery in a fire ant infested state, check to see if they are a fire ant free nursery, and if not, what practices they use to minimize the presence of this pest on their property. Check the material yourself when purchasing -- be proactive about controlling fire ants.