II. b. Red Imported Fire Ant Management Teaching Module for Advanced Master Gardener Training

Why is the RIFA so tough to manage? Colonies move easily Colonies move easily Omnivorous Omnivorous Life cycle ensures survivability Life cycle ensures survivability High reproductive potential High reproductive potential Large number of colonies Large number of colonies Invasive species with little competition Invasive species with little competition Biological traits such as hybridization and multiple queen colonies Biological traits such as hybridization and multiple queen colonies

An Example of Re-infestation by RIFA Test site: 15 to 80+ mounds per acre Test site: 15 to 80+ mounds per acre Applied insecticide eliminated 100% of colonies Applied insecticide eliminated 100% of colonies 6-8 weeks later: tiny new nests noted 6-8 weeks later: tiny new nests noted 6 months later: 2 to 5-inch diameter mounds; possibly 400 mounds per acre 6 months later: 2 to 5-inch diameter mounds; possibly 400 mounds per acre 1 year: 4 to 6-inch diameter mounds; possibly 120 mounds per acre 1 year: 4 to 6-inch diameter mounds; possibly 120 mounds per acre years: large mounds; 15 to 80+ per acre years: large mounds; 15 to 80+ per acre (These were single queen type colonies) (These were single queen type colonies)

Fire Ant Movement and Spread Mating flights Mating flights Mound disturbance Mound disturbance Human transport Human transport Soil, nursery stock Turfgrass Hay Vehicles

Scope of Fire Ant Problems Now infest over 330 M acres in U.S. and Puerto Rico Now infest over 330 M acres in U.S. and Puerto Rico Estimated overall cost of fire ant infestation across the U.S. - over a billion dollars annually Estimated overall cost of fire ant infestation across the U.S. - over a billion dollars annually Principal areas of expansion in the southeastern U.S. include TN, NC, VA and MD Principal areas of expansion in the southeastern U.S. include TN, NC, VA and MD Principal areas of expansion in the southwestern U.S. include OK, AR, TX, NM, AZ and CA Principal areas of expansion in the southwestern U.S. include OK, AR, TX, NM, AZ and CA

Impact of Imported Fire Ants Human health Human health Agriculture and livestock Agriculture and livestock Nursery and landscape industry Nursery and landscape industry Wildlife Wildlife Biodiversity Biodiversity Utilities Utilities Recreation and tourism Recreation and tourism Transportation (roadways) Transportation (roadways) Environmental quality Environmental quality

Managing the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA)

RIFA MANAGMENT More than 150 products are labeled for fire ant control More than 150 products are labeled for fire ant control Most give good control when properly used Most give good control when properly used None control fire ants for very long None control fire ants for very long Multiple strategies work best Multiple strategies work best

Integrated Pest Management Emphasizes: Use of a variety of tactics Judicious use of pesticides Managing populations below levels that cause problems Advocated for management of fire ant problems IPM – Effective, economical, ecologically sound

RIFA Management Tactics Sanitation Sanitation Keep shrubs away from buildings – forms a bridge Keep trash bins clean – oils attract them Physical and Mechanical Physical and Mechanical Hot water, barriers Chemicals Chemicals Registered pesticides Follow label directions! Follow label directions!

Home Remedies Grits – Do not work! Workers don’t eat solid food Mixing mounds – Too dangerous! And does not work Gasoline – Don’t do it! Gasoline – Don’t do it! Dangerous, serious pollutant, kills plants, makes fire ant colonies move Bleaches, cleaning solutions, etc.- Don’t do it! Dangerous, serious pollutants, kills plants

RIFA Chemical Management Today Broadcast baits and granular materials Insecticides and insect growth regulators Insecticide dusts and liquids Individual mound treatments Insecticide granules, dusts and liquids Barrier treatments around structures Combination of broadcast baits and individual mound treatments

How They Work General Insecticides General Insecticides Kills workers and queens Can be slow or fast acting Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs) Mimic insect hormones Prevents queen from laying fertile eggs Workers do not die from ingestion Workers die from old age Very slow acting

Bait Materials Insecticides and Insect Growth Regulators

Bait Materials Chemical is dissolved in an attractant (oil) Insecticide or insect growth regulator (IGR) Absorbed into granules Ants forage and return it to colony Ants feed by sucking oil from granules They transfer chemical to other ants by trophallaxis

The “Stomach” of the Colony

Chemical Action General insecticide-based baits - Kill the ants Indoxacarb (Spectracide Fire Ant Killer, Advion, Over 'n Out Fire Ant Killer Mound Treatment) Hydramethylnon (Amdro Fire Ant Bait, Probait, Max Force) Spinosad OMRI (Come-and-Get It, Green Light Fire Ant Control with Conserve) Fipronil (Ceasefire Fire Ant Bait) Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) and similar compounds - Prevent the queen from laying viable eggs S-methoprene (Extinguish) Pyriproxifen (Distance) Abamectin (Varsity, Ascend) – technically not an IGR Fenoxycarb (Award) Mixtures – insecticide + IGR (Extinguish Plus) Best effect when workers killed slowly or not at all - time to get the material to the queen

General Insecticide Baits Spinosad “organic” Hydramethylnon Indoxacarb

Insect Growth Regulator Baits Pyriproxyfen Methoprene Fenoxycarb Abamectin – Not an IGR

Mixtures – Insecticide + IGR Relatively new product Methoprene and hydramethylnon blend Quick kill Residual-like effect Less ants in 6 months

Advantages of Baits Attractive to pest Attractive to pest Corn cob + soil bean oil + pesticide Corn cob + soil bean oil + pesticide Controls unseen colonies Controls unseen colonies Economical Economical Can be broadcast or spot Treated Can be broadcast or spot Treated Easy to apply Easy to apply Relatively safe (least toxic) Relatively safe (least toxic) used in small amounts used in small amounts

Disadvantages of Baits Little to no residual Can be easily ruined Heat, water, sunlight Most are slow acting At least 2-4 weeks for control* Growth regulator baits may be difficult to find Bait selection can be confusing *baits containing indoxacarb control fire ants in 1-3 days

Proper Use of Baits Apply when workers are foraging Sunny days Early or late in day Most active 75 o to 85 o F Use fresh baits Apply when ground is dry and no rain is expected

Proper Use of Baits DO NOT mix baits with other materials AVOID applying to mound surface DO NOT disturb mound prior to application DO FOLLOW the label DO USE the lowest setting on spreader

Application Methods Individual mound treatments Hand held seeders Vehicle mounted seeders

Contact Insecticides Granular, Dust, & Liquid

Contact Insecticides Kill on contact Granular products Dusts Mound drenches Follow label directions

Some Contact Insecticides for RIFA Acephate Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer IMT* Bifenthrin Ortho MAX Fire Ant Killer Broadcast Granules Talstar Broadcast & IMT Carbaryl Sevin Bug Killer Concentrate IMT Cyfluthrin Bayer Advanced Lawn Fire Ant Killer IMT Deltamethrin Bengal Ultra Dust 2X Fire Ant Killer Hi-Yield Imported Fire Ant Control Granules IMT *Individual Mound Treatment

Some Contact Insecticides for RIFA Fipronil Over 'n Out Fire Ant Killer Granules Chipco Topchoice Broadcast Lambda-cyhalothrin Spectricide Fire Ant Killer Granules IMT & Broadcast Natural pyrethrins and diatomaceous earth Organic One Fire Ant Killer IMT Permethrin Terro Outdoor Ant Killer Hi-Yield Indoor Outdoor Broad Use Insecticide 17 others IMT *Spinosad Fertilome Borer, Bagworm, Leaf Miner, and Tent Caterpillar Spray IMT & *OMRI

Insecticide Granules Lamda-cyhalothrin Bifenthrin Fipronil

Insecticide Dusts, Wettable Powders and Liquids Dusts and Wettable Powders Liquids / Mound Drenches

Advantages of Contact Insecticides Granules broadcast like baits Fast and effective May be short term Barrier-like protection Residual effects in some For broadcast and spot treatment Mound treatments Cost effective Less harmful to non-targets

Disadvantages of Contact Insecticides May not reach queen Workers killed on contact More expensive to treat large areas Broadcast treatments Toxicity much higher than baits Less target-specific More risk to non-targets Rapid re-infestation more likely Environmental contamination if not properly applied

Applying Chemicals to Your Home or Yard? ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LABEL INSTRUCTIONS!!!

Tactics for Best Management Combination Treatments

Different Approaches to Different Situations Two-step Method Three-step Method Long Residual Broadcast Treatment Management in Public Areas Homes and Buildings Vegetable Gardens Neighborhood Management

Two-Step Method Treating Lawns For moderate to large areas of turf Not recommended for lightly infested areas Goal: Reduce fire ant problems while minimizing need to treat individual mounds - Step 1- Broadcast bait product in spring and/or fall - Step 2 - Treat nuisance mounds as necessary; start scouting 3 days after bait treatment

Individual Mound Treatments Only Best for small areas of where infestations are light NOT recommended for heavily infested areas Selectively controls fire ants Requires more labor and monitoring Individually treat undesirable ant mounds using a suitable contact or bait product Continue to treat unwanted mounds as they appear

Step 1: Barrier Treatment Apply band of granular or liquid insecticide to perimeter of structure Step 2: Broadcast Bait Treatment Broadcast bait to lawns surrounding structure outside the perimeter barrier Step 3: Individual Mound Treatment Wait 3 days to allow for bait to be distributed Drench or Dust - nuisance or hazardous colonies Three-Step Method Treating Structures

Long Residual Broadcast Treatment Long-lasting, but more expensive Broadcast a residual product Fipronil - 1 application per year Bifenthrin applications per year Expensive - $180 to $500 per acre per year Fipronil takes longer to control ants 80% control in four weeks Maximum control by 6 weeks

Management in Public Areas Athletic fields, parks, golf courses, camping sites, etc. Map fire ant infestations High priority areas Broadcast bait products (frequently used or sources of re- infestation) IMT After 3-5 days treat problem mounds in highest priority areas with fast-acting insecticide Low priority areas Perimeter treatments or no treatment may be sufficient Perimeter treatment May also be necessary if re-infestation occurs quickly Very flexible method now being used by commercial landscape managers

Homes and Buildings Prevention is key If fire ants are found indoors, remove children and pets from immediate area Find and remove ant food source

Homes and Buildings Find where ants are entering Spray entry point with an indoor ant control product Avoid spraying near food or eating utensils Treat indoor trail with soap, bleach or ammonia cleaner (Windex) Disrupts pheromone trail DO NOT bait inside

Homes and Buildings Find colony outside Treat with product registered for outdoor use Call professional to eliminate colonies inside house Check for “bridges” Air conditioner lines, electrical and phone conduits, overhanging tree limbs, etc

Vegetable Gardens Very limited Extinguish bait Works in 8-12 weeks Green Light Fire Ant Control with Conserve bait Works in 2-4 weeks May be used inside the garden

Vegetable Gardens Other baits can be applied around, but not in the garden Approved contact insecticides can be used as individual mound treatments in the garden Read the label for a product that can be used in vegetable gardens for used to control fire ants

Community-wide Fire Ant Management Cooperative efforts can save money and effort Lengthens time of re-infestation Education is a key Homeowners cooperate in treating the neighborhood Homeowner associations can contract with a commercial applicator to treat neighborhood

Statewide Efforts Biological control methods Researchers in many states are conducting controlled studies Fire ant densities are > 5x higher in the U.S. than in their native South America RIFA has 30+ natural enemies in South America Self-sustaining biological control agents could provide long term suppression of fire ant populations

Two Self-Sustaining Biological Control Agents for Fire Ants (not for individuals)

Phorid Flies Establishing in US Phorid fly lays an egg in the thorax of the ant Larvae hatches and migrates to the head Eats the inside of the head The ant’s head falls off Common name = decapitating fly Greatly decreases foraging by RIFA Phorid fly emerging from fire ant head Phorid fly RIFA alarm posture

Infectious Protozoa Disease agent decreases populations in South America It also is establishing is some states Fewer than the phorid fly More effective in multiple queen colonies Thelohania solenopsae

Acknowledgments Thanks to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research & Management Plan, Texas A&M University System, for the use of many of the images seen in this presentation. Portions of this presentation were made possible by a grant from the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program. Contributors: - - Kathy Flanders – Alabama Cooperative Extension System - - Molly Keck – Texas AgriLife Extension Service - - Tim Davis – Clemson Cooperative Extension - - David Williams – University of Florida - - Bastiaan M. Drees – Texas AgriLife Extension Service

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