Plant Industry - Plant Protection Section
Entomological Services

Red Imported Fire Ant Program

The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is a nuisance and health concern to humans, livestock, and wildlife due to its painful sting. The red imported fire ant was first detected in the United States in Alabama in 1918. It was first identified in the southeastern part of North Carolina in Brunswick County in 1957.

Portions or entire areas of 63 of North Carolina's 100 counties are considered generally infested with red imported fire ants. The NCDA&CS issues certification and compliance agreements to individuals and industries engaged in the movement of potentially contaminated commodities to reduce man assisted movement of these ants.

The NCDA&CS maintains a Community Assistance Program to advise local citizens in the identification of efficacious and environmentally sound control measures.

Approved treatment guidelines for the various categories of IFA regulated articles are contained in the following links:

• Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers: Method A - Immersion
• Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers: Method B - Drenching
• Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers: Method C - Topical Application
• Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers: Method D - Incorporation of Granular Insecticides Into Potting Media
• Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers: Method E - In-Field Treatment for B&B Stock Prior to Harvest
• Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers: Method F - The Fire Ant Free Nursery Program (Containerized Plants Only)
• Used Earth Moving Equipment, Baled Hay and Straw, Greenhouse-Grown Plants,
  Grass Sod, Bulk Soil and Soil Samples
• Mitigative Measures for all Treatments
• Authorized Insecticides
• Bulk Density Determinations
• Bulk Density Determination Form
• Talstar® Nursery Granular Insecticide - Specimen Label
• USDA APHIS Publication: Imported Fire Ant 2004 Quarantine
  Treatments for Nursery Stock and Other Regulate
• Articles (Contains all the treatment recommendations in one pdf formatted document)
  
• Fire Ant Quarantine Treatments Expanded: Federal Register, Vol.67, No. 181, September 18, 2002
  (The linked site provides details of USDA's amendments to its imported fire ant quarantine regulations authorizing the use of Fipronil for the treatment of Regulated Articles, and making the rates of application for Chloropyrifos, a currently authorized insecticide, consistent with current product labeling)

For additional information see: