For Immediate Release
Friday, March
26, 1999
Release CDFA99-016 |
Contact: Dawn Henson
Myrlys L. Williams
Larry Cooper
(916) 654-0462 |
RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT UPDATE
Colonies Discovered in Five New Areas
of California
SACRAMENTO - Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) colonies
have been discovered in five new areas, according
to the California Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA). These new finds are part of CDFA’s continuing
RIFA survey in Southern California, and they are outside
areas previously reported.
The latest finds are in San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno,
Riverside, and Kern Counties. Ant mounds were
identified at a property being landscaped at San Marcos
in San Diego County; a residential section in Azusa
in Los Angeles County; a residence in Bakersfield
in Kern County (that is the first residential find
in the Central Valley); a residential area in Palm
Springs in Riverside County; an almond orchard near
Mendota in Fresno County, and at a second orchard
located in Kern County.
Previous discoveries were reported in Trabuco Canyon,
Coto de Caza, Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita,
Cypress, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Buena Park, Foothill
Ranch, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, La Palma, Los Alamitos,
Placentia, Portola Hills, Stanton, San Juan Capistrano
and Westminster in Orange County. Finds have also
been reported in El Monte in Los Angeles County and
in India in Riverside County.
An extensive survey of all affected counties will
continue to further determine the extent of the infestation.
Many of these new finds have been the result of residents
calling CDFA’s toll free telephone line. 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
up to 15 inches and 6 to 8 inches tall, and are found
in high moisture areas, such as under trees, edges
of lawns and bedded plants.
The ants 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 the surface
to defend the colony.
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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