| Imported Fire
Ant (IFA) have pestered southern Arkansas since the late 1950's. Whether
it bites or stings, either are irritating to humans, their domestic
pets, livestock and wildlife. They have also affected human life indirectly
by destructively undermining roadways, shorting our electrical air
conditioning units and altering a number of outdoor activities, to
mention a few.
To understand the failure of attempting
to control IFA, one must understand the biology and adaptivity of
this pest. Please see the attached information sheet. The natural
movement northward mainly via mating flights of 1/4 mile or better
coupled with the sheer number of these flights make them extremely
hard, if not impossible, to stop. Cleared acreage can quickly be
re-infested by these flights. Colonizing deep in the ground protects
the queen from man’s , as well as, natures attempts to limit
the spread. They are very adaptive in colonizing by utilizing artificial
heat from southern exposures of buildings, concrete, asphalt, etc.
to extend their range farther north than scientists thought possible.
That’s why the natural movement is so hard to contain. An annual
Plant Board survey is conducted in the counties just north of the
quarantine line to monitor this natural movement.
The Plant Board executes the IFA Quarantine
for suppressing or slowing down the artificial movement of
IFA in Arkansas. Movement of regulated articles such as nursery
stock, grass and sod are monitored by inspections, treatment certificates and compliance
agreements. This effort is coordinated with USDA-APHIS,PPQ and surrounding
quarantined states.
An Imported Fire Ant Advisory Board
was formed to coordinate the education and research effort spearheaded
by Cooperative Extension and U of A Monticello. This committee endorses
the recommendation to get more information to the general public.
Bringing information reflecting the latest from research will certainly
help with the battle against imported fire ants.
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