Fire Ants California Map
As of august 2008 the rifa had been reported as established in the states of alabama arkansas california florida georgia louisiana maryland mississippi new mexico north carolina south carolina oklahoma tennessee texas and virginia.
Fire ants california map. Orange county is currently within the regulated red imported fire ant federal quarantine area. Limited numbers of red imported fire ants may. It also has colonized places like malatya singapore taiwan and many caribbean islands. Please note that certain and possible sites with insufficient rainfall are still at risk along natural waterways and in areas that are irrigated.
Fire ant colonies near the home should be located and treated with an over the counter ant bait insecticide. There are two types of fire ants in this state. Thereafter local county agencies were contracted to survey for ants and conduct large scale. Contact local county pest control agencies by calling the statewide rifa hotline phone number established by the california department of food and agriculture at 1 888 434 7326.
Ross and his colleagues sampled 2 144 colonies from 75 sites in the ants native range in south america the southern united states and newly invaded areas in california china. As part of this effort the california department of food and agriculture has established a toll free rifa hotline to report any suspect ant locations. The red imported fire ant is considered dangerous because unlike most ants this species delivers stings venom that produce immediate pain burning itching sensation and raised pustules form in a day or two. The native fire ant solenopsis geminata and the rifa s.
Fire ants in california. Treatment for the sting is aimed at preventing secondary. If your child or anyone in your family is stung you need to consult your physician immediately and follow his direction. United states department of agriculture animal and plant health inspection service.
Fire ant workers tending a queen. Map links potential united sates range expansion of the invasive fire ant arizona arkansas california hawaii maryland nevada new mexico north carolina oklahoma oregon tennessee texas virginia washington. After the initial discovery of red imported fire ants in orange county and parts of los angeles county and riverside county california in october 1998 the california department of food and agriculture delineated the infestation and issued proclamations of eradication in three counties encompassing over 204 000 ha. Anyone finding suspected red imported fire ants.
Potential distribution of red imported fire ants in the general landscape. Photo by charles barr. If the infestation is large ask for professional advice from the local agricultural commissioner s office or a pest control company.