For Immediate Release
Tuesday, November 24, 1998
Release CDFA98-119 |
Contact: Alfreda Sebasto
Myrlys L. Williams
Oscar Hidalgo
(916) 654-0462 |
RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT
UPDATE
ORANGE COUNTY – The California Department
of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) ongoing survey of
southern Orange County has shown numerous Red Imported
Fire Ant colonies outside the 10-square-mile area
where the pest was originally detected.
Earlier this month, two nurseries in Trabuco
Canyon area were found infested with fire ants. Further
surveys in the surrounding area, primarily along Robinson
Ranch Road, revealed an estimated 70 to 100 fire ant
mounds.
The detections now encompass an area of at
least 20-square-miles, with ant colonies in Coto de
Caza, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo. CDFA
staff are also investigating reported finds in Cypress,
Orange County; South El Monte, Los Angeles County;
and in Indio, Riverside County.
Surveys will continue to determine the extent
of the infestation. An eradication strategy
will be developed following a meeting of national
and international fire ant experts scheduled next
week.
Residents in the affected counties are urged
to leave fire ant colonies undisturbed. To report
the colony's location, residents may contact their
county agricultural commissioner's office. Red Imported
Fire Ant biting and stinging behavior is generally
a defensive reaction for protecting food and water
resources or their nesting sites. When a mound is
disturbed, large numbers of worker ants come to the
mound surface to defend the colony. An unsuspecting
victim can be rapidly covered with stinging ants.
For additional information on the Red Imported
Fire Ant, visit CDFA's website at: www.cdfa.ca.gov
.
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