Fire ants are a type of ant that have become notorious for the painful sting they deliver to unsuspecting victims. Though they may look unassuming, these small, reddish-brown or black ant colonies can pack a big punch. Originating in South America, these tiny beasts have since spread to parts of the United States, causing a lot of damage. But what states in the US have fire ants? Let’s explore.
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1. Texas
2. Louisiana
3. Mississippi
4. Georgia
5. Alabama
6. South Carolina
Fire ants are predominately present in the Southern United States, namely, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Alabama. Though other states in this area may be affected, those are the core locations in which one may find the unpleasant pests. Research shows that these ants managed to spread to Florida in 2001, and have too been seen in Northern California.
The Southern states have been plagued by the fire ants for over a century now and unfortunately, their numbers only appear to be growing. Gary Bauchan, an entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, commented that the Southern states are the “epicenter” of the fire ants problem, and it does not look like this is going to change anytime soon.
The reason for their prevalence in these areas is because the fire ants love warmer, moist climates. This makes sense since the great majority of the Southern states boast considerably higher temperatures than the rest of the country. It is thought that the original introduction of this species to the United States was accidental, but now they are able to sustain their presence in new areas due to the reproductive process.
The fire ant’s aggressive nature towards other ant species and the disruption they cause to ecosystems has made them one of the most notorious pests in the United States. These pugnacious pests are difficult to control due to their high resistance to both chemical and non-chemical treatments, so populations can quickly rebound.
Due to the sheer number of colonies, the fire ants have caused considerable damage to the wildlife and various agricultural activities. The concern held around the fire ants is warranted; the ugly truth is that it is difficult to eradicate an infestation once it has been settled in. Studies by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension have indicated that almost $1 billion of damage to agricultural activities in the United States is caused by fire ants, each year.
These resilient little creatures are not one to be taken lightly. If you’re ever in the Southern United States, keep an eye out for these critters. They can cause an uncomfortable sting and significant disruption to the environment, so it is wise to remain cautious and aware of one’s surroundings. Let’s dig a little deeper into what some of these states have done to battle against fire ants.
Texas
Texas is seen by many to be the worst-hit state by the fire ant infestation. In an effort to address the problem, the state legislature has taken harsh measures to combat the pests. Multiple laws have been implemented to regulate the movement of fire ants and to limit their spread throughout the state.
The fire ants issue in Texas is particularly serious. The Texas AgriLife Extension Service estimates that the fire ant is affecting 60 percent of the Texan territory, a figure that rises to 85 percent in the rural areas of the state. To tackle this issue, Texas’s farmers are allowed to spread bait infested with a slow-acting insecticide which kill the adults, reducing their numbers dramatically.
Other efforts to combat the fire ant problem in Texas involve the introduction of biocontrol agents such as the philopatric beetle, the fire ant decapitating fly, the phorid fly, and a species of parasitic nematode. Though results have been mixed, researchers and agricultural officials agree that this biological control is essential to the long-term development of pest control strategies.
Louisiana
As with Texas, the fire ant has taken a large toll on Louisiana, prompting officials to implement strong measures to contain the spread. Unlike neighboring Texas, Louisiana’s response has been more subdued. Since 1983, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) has been attempting to eradicate the ant colonies by enticing them into bait pots. This plan has however, failed to yield results.
Farmers and pa;rkers are instead encouraged to use mechanical, chemical and biological control. With respect to the latter, the LDAF has been introducing natural enemies of the ants such as the fire ant decapitating fly, phorid fly, and both Brazilian and Puerto Rican parasitic nematodes. Though they still cause damage, this is seen as the best approach since it involves little chemicals and no hazardous materials.
Mississippi
Mississippi, like its neighbors, has had to battle with the fire ant problem for many years. For example, the fire ant ban within the state confines has been in place since 1999. The Mississippi fire ant control program focused on a reduction of foraging by using slow acting insecticides which target adult workers, queen and infertile males.
Special efforts have been made by the state toward the constant monitoring and maintenance of the fire ants’ populations. For example, there is the East Mississippi Fire Ant Partnership Program, which works to provide residential and commercial properties with the necessary treatments to prevent and control the spread of the fire ants, throughout their territory.
Though the fire ant issue will likely be present in the southern states for some time, the efforts applied by the Legislatures and Departments of Agriculture cannot be underestimated. In the face of an overwhelming infestation, they have done their best to devise plans of action and implement solutions. A lot of thought and research goes into these pest control methods, ultimately providing the residents of these states with a bit more peace of mind.
Georgia
The fire ant control in Georgia is managed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. It is estimated about 75 percent of the entire state has been successfully invaded by fire ants. The department is currently focusing its efforts on the implementation of insecticides, cultural and physical methods, as well as releasing some biocontrol agents such as the phorid fly.
The recent invasions have raised concerns on the state’s poultry industry, as well as other restricted areas such as schools and prisons. In response to this, the department has developed regular surveys to keep track of the population levels for proper planning and control strategies.
Furthermore, the department is encouraging citizens to increase their awareness by organizing workshops, programs, and trainings on the premises of their agricultural areas or private properties. This way they can inform and advise participants on the proper use of fire ant control methods.
Alabama
In recent years, fire ants have become a major threat to Alabama’s agricultural industry. Currently, the Alabama Extension service is working to limit their spread by encouraging various safety practices such as the use of protective clothing, boots, gloves, and masks when handling them. Prevention is key and this includes the inspection of plants and mulch before purchase in order to reduce the transport of fire ants.
In addition, the state is looking into other control methods such as the application of bait poisons or the introduction of biocontrol agents. Bait poisons, although effective, require the application of specialized techniques since they impact larger populations of colonies. As for biological control, the state has released both phorid flies and nematodes to reduce the fire ant presence in their area.
Should an infestation already be present, the first step is to reduce it as much as possible with baits, and then to cover the nest with physical barriers to reduce foraging. This should be followed by the implementation of cultural practices such as mowing grass and leaf litter to reduce available areas for fire ants to nest.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, the fire ant’s presence has been an issue for many years. In an effort to mitigate the problem, the Clemson University, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and the Cooperative Extension, implemented an Integrated Pest Management Program. This program implements a variety of pest management strategies such as the use of baits and the release of biocontrol agents to contain populations.
The Department of Agriculture has also set up a variety of regulations to limit the transport, possession and movement of fire ant infested material between county borders. With this, they are attempting to slow down the movement and spread of the ants to new areas, islands and country borders.
South Carolina’s Clemson University has done extensive research on this topic and recently published a paper in which they advised the state to take cues from other areas that have had to deal with the fire ants before. Specifically, the paper addressed the consideration of using biocontrol agents such as the above mentioned parasitic nematodes as a way to develop an effective pest management system in South Carolina.
