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Agricultural
Information, 800-675-2427; Email, cdfapublicaffairs@cdfa.ca.gov
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For Immediate
Release
Thursday,
July 27, 2000
CDFA00-033 |
Contact: Steve Lyle
Larry Copper
916/654-0462 |
ENCOURAGING PROGRESS IN RED IMPORTED FIRE
ANT ERADICATION PROGRAM
Scientists are optimistic California lawmakers are
being told that the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) eradication
program made significant progress over the past year.
A report submitted to legislators by the California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) states that
treatment results are encouraging. The goals of the
unique local/state cooperative program include containing
the spread of the ants, eradicating the current population,
and detecting infestations that may arise elsewhere
in California.
"We feel significant progress is being made and applaud
the commitment and dedication displayed at the local
level", said CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons,
Jr. RIFA infestations were identified and treated
over the past year in Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside,
San Bernardino, and San Diego Counties. Treatment
programs are being coordinated by CDFA through contract
agreements with local agencies. Funding was made possible
by $40 million in budget commitments by the legislature
and California Governor Gray Davis. The money is available
over a five-year period.
The report submitted to the legislature identifies
a number of positive indicators:
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To review the progress of the program, CDFA re-convened
the Red Imported Fire Ant Science Advisory Panel
in May, 2000 in Costa Mesa. The review included
a tour of several areas that had been heavily
infested during the panel's 1998 visit. In December
of 1998 the panel members expressed reservations
about the possibility of eradicating the pest
from California. Based on what they saw in the
May 2000 visit, they now believe that eradication
is possible.
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Significant reductions in mound activity over
the past year is reported in heavily infested
sites of Orange County, such as Trabuco Canyon.
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A marked reduction of ant mound activity on Riverside
County golf courses and public access areas.
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All known infested properties in Los Angeles
County have been treated and monitoring is underway.
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Only one RIFA site continues to show activity
in San Diego County (Rancho Penasquitos).
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All known sites in San Bernardino County have
been treated and are being monitored.
As expected, additional mound sites are still being
found at scattered locations within the quarantine
zone. The unusually cool spring and early summer slowed
ant activity. Over the past few weeks, with rising
temperatures, an anticipated increase in fire ant
reports has occurred. Ants are more active in hot
weather.
Project officials emphasize that statewide surveys
for the Red Imported Fire Ant should continue, to
identify any infestations that escaped from Southern
California prior to the start of the program.
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