The infestation now encompasses an
area of at least 50-square-miles of Orange County,
with newly discovered ant mounds in Anaheim, Anaheim
Hills, Buena Park, Foothill Ranch, Irvine, Laguna
Niguel, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Placentia, Portola
Hills, Stanton, San Juan Capistrano and Westminster.
Mounds also were found in nurseries in Pico Rivera
and Rosemead, Los Angeles County, and in Indio, Riverside
County.
These finds are in addition to previous
discoveries in Trabuco Canyon, Coto de Caza, Mission
Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita and Cypress, Orange
County; El Monte, Los Angeles County; and Indio, Riverside
County.
An extensive survey of the all three
affected counties will continue to further determine
the extent of the infestation. CDFA is currently formulating
options to deal with the pest based on survey results
and information provided by a team of national fire
ant experts who visited the area in early December.
Many of these new finds have
been the result of residents calling CDFA’s toll
free telephone line established earlier this week.
Residents in Southern California are encouraged
to call the line to report any suspected fire ant
colonies. The line, 800-491-1899, is staffed during
normal business hours or callers may leave a message
of the suspected colony location.
Fire ant colonies are domed-shaped
with a base of at least 15 inches and 6 to 8 inches
tall, and are found high moisture areas, such as under
trees, edges of lawns and bedded plants. Their aggressive
behavior is generally a defensive reaction for protecting
food and water resources or their nesting sites. A
disturbed mound will result in large numbers of worker
ants rising to surface to defend the colony. An unsuspecting
victim can be rapidly covered with stinging ants.
Residents treating mounds on their
property should visit their local nursery for advice.
Any product should be used following the label’s
recommendations.
For additional information on the
Red Imported Fire Ant, visit CDFA’s website at:
www.cdfa.ca.gov
.
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