Managing Imported FireAnts in Urban Areas

A Regional Publication Developed for:Alabama • Arkansas • Florida • Georgia • Louisiana

Oklahoma • South Carolina • Tennessee • Texas

David Kostroun, Texas Department of Agriculture

Beverly Sparks, Professor and Extension ProgramCoordinator - Entomology, The University of GeorgiaCooperative Extension Service

Dale Pollet, Extension Entomologist, LSU AgriculturalCenter,

Donna Shanklin and Kelly Loftin, Assistant ExtensionSpecialists - Natural Resources, Cooperative ExtensionService, University of Arkansas

Karen Vail, Assistant Professor and ExtensionEntomologist, University of Tennessee AgriculturalExtension Service

Kathy Flanders, Extension Entomologist, AlabamaCooperative Extension System, and Assistant Professor,Auburn University

Paul M. “Mac” Horton, Professor of Entomology andAssistant Director, Clemson University CooperativeExtension Service

David Oi, Research Entomologist - Center for Medical,Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS

Philip G. Koehler, Margie & Dempsey Sapp EndowedProfessor of Structural Pest Control & UrbanEntomology, University of Florida

J. T. Vogt, Fire Ant Research & Education Specialist,Oklahoma State University

Texas Imported Fire Ant Research & Management Plan

The University of Georgia

Cooperative Extension Service

Bastiaan M Drees, Professor and ExtensionEntomologist, Texas Fire Ant Project Coordinator/Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and TexasAgricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&MUniversity System

Charles L. Barr, Extension Program Specialist—FireAnt Project, The Texas A&M University System

S. Bradleigh Vinson, Professor, Department ofEntomology, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station,The Texas A&M University System

Roger E. Gold, Professor, Department of Entomology,Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and TexasAgricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&MUniversity System

Michael E. Merchant, Associate Professor and ExtensionUrban Entomologist, The Texas A&M University System

Nathan Riggs, Lisa Lennon, Scott Russell and PaulNester, Extension Agents - IPM (Fire Ant Project),Texas Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&MUniversity System

Management Options

Organizing a Community-Wide Fire Ant Suppression Program

Fire Ant Treatment Methods

Fire Ant Biology and Identification

Medical Problems

History of Control Efforts

Fire ant insecticides, modes of action and formulations, with genericnames of active ingredients and some examples of product names. 18

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Contents

The two species of imported fire ants (redimported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and blackimported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel) and theirhybrid are nuisance insects whose stings can causeserious medical problems. Imported fire ants inter-fere with outdoor activities and harm wildlifethroughout the southern United States. Ant moundsare unsightly and may reduce land values. Althoughfire ants do prey on flea larvae, chinch bugs, cock-roach eggs, ticks and other pests, the problems theycause usually outweigh any benefits in urban areas.While it is not possible to eradicate this species (seeHistory and Control Efforts), controlling fire ants ishighly desirable. The best control programs use acombination of non-chemical and chemical methodsthat are effective, economical and least harmful tothe environment.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a systemsapproach to managing insect, mite, disease andweed pests. It uses a combination of the most com-patible and ecologically sound pest suppression tac-tics to keep pest populations below levels that causeproblems. IPM uses cultural, biological and chemicalmethods. This bulletin describes site-specific, goal-oriented management programs for urban siteswhere fire ants occur. The goal of IPM is to preventthe problems caused by unacceptably large numbersof fire ants, rather than eliminating all ants from theecosystem.

USDA Quarantine ProgramBecause fire ants

are easily transportedin nursery stock andsoil, the U. S.Department ofAgriculture’s Animaland Plant HealthInspection Service(USDA, APHIS) devel-oped a quarantine pro-gram for this pest inthe 1950s. The USDAImported Fire AntQuarantine program isadministered by stateregulatory agencies (e.g., Alabama Department ofAgriculture and Industries, Arkansas State PlantBoard, Georgia Department of Agriculture,Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry,Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, TennesseeDepartment of Agriculture, Clemson UniversityDepartment of Plant Industry, Texas Department ofAgriculture). The purpose of the quarantine pro-gram is to minimize the spread of imported fire antsby requiring proper inspection and treatment of allnursery stock, turfgrass, hay and other articlesshipped out of quarantined areas (Fig. 1). Inspectorsalso survey non-quarantined counties for fire antsand occasionally treat small, isolated infestations.The public should do its part to avoid spreading theants by not transporting or purchasing fire antinfested articles.

Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas

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All of county quarantinedPart of county quarantinedBlack imported fire antHybrid imported fire ant

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Properly identifying the ant species is the first step indetermining whether and how to control them (see Fire AntBiology and Identification, p.14). In the following sectionsare options for managing various kinds of imported fire antproblems. There may be other effective methods not men-tioned. There is rarely a single best method of control.

Note: See Fire Ant Treatment Methods, p.10, for informationabout biological control, home remedies, and insecticide products andtheir proper use. Use only pesticides labeled for the location or “site”you want to treat. For instance, DO NOT use a product in your veg-etable garden unless that site is listed on the label.

Home lawns and other ornamental turf

Fire ants commonly infest lawns, school yards, athleticfields, golf courses and parks, where they pose a medicalthreat to people and animals. Their mounds also detractfrom the appearance of the landscape and can damage lawncare equipment.

Treatment optionsProgram 1. The “Two-Step Method”: This program sup-

presses ants in ornamental turf and non-agricultural lands,including roadsides. It is also suitable for pasture and range-land, provided that the products selected are specifically regis-tered for use in these sites. It is best suited to medium-sized orlarge areas, and the cost is moderate. This approach is not sug-gested for previously untreated areas with large numbers ofnative competitor ants and few fire ant mounds (20 per acreor fewer). The goal of this program is to reduce fire ant prob-lems while minimizing the need to treat individual mounds.

The two steps involve: 1)broadcasting a bait product (seesection on proper use of baits), followed by; 2) treating nui-sance mounds with a faster acting individual mound treat-ment or with a mound re-treatment of the bait:

Step 1. Once or twice per year, broadcast a bait-formulated insecticide or use an outdoor bait stationproduct as directed on the label. Most conventionalbaits are applied at a rate of 1 to 11/2 pounds of productper acre, although some products are applied at high-er rates. Periodic broadcast applications of fire antbaits will suppress ants about 90 percent when properlyapplied. A bait can be broadcast with hand-held, vehi-cle-mounted or aerial applicators. The speed and dura-tion of ant suppression differs with the product used.Hydramethylnon and spinosad baits (see p.18 for tradenames) provide maximum control 2 to 4 weeks afterapplication, while insect growth regulator (IGR) baitproducts (i.e., those containing fenoxycarb, metho-prene or pyriproxyfen) provide maximum suppression

2 to 6 months after treatment depending on environ-mental conditions. Abamectin baits act more slowlythan hydramethylnon and spinosad but more quicklythan IGR products. Using higher rates of an IGR baitdoes not eliminate colonies more quickly. For instance,a late summer application produces maximum sup-pression the following spring. Where there are manymounds per acre (200 or more), a second applicationmay be needed after the maximum effects of the firsttreatment have occurred, because not all mounds areaffected by a single bait application.

Step 2. Wait several days or more after applying thebait, and then treat nuisance ant colonies (such asthose in sensitive or high traffic areas) using an indi-vidual mound treatment method (see Program 2, Step1, below). Otherwise, be patient and wait for the baittreatment to work. Any nuisance mounds that escapedthe effects of the bait treatment, or colonies migratinginto treated areas, should be treated as needed. Inlarge areas individual mound treatment may not befeasible and routine broadcast bait treatments alonemay provide sufficient control.

Repeat the bait application when ants re-invade thearea and mound numbers reach about 20 to 30 peracre. Bait products do not protect against reinvasion byant colonies from surrounding land or by newly matedqueens. Ant populations can fully recover within 12 to18 months of the last bait treatment. Low-lying, moistand flood-prone areas are more prone to re-infestation.

Program 2. Individual Mound Treatments: Thisapproach is best used in small areas of ornamental turf (usu-ally 1 acre or less) where there are fewer than 20 to 30mounds per acre or where preservation of native ants isdesired. This program selectively controls fire ants, but rapidre-invasion should be anticipated. It generally requires morelabor and monitoring than other programs, and is not sug-gested for heavily infested areas.

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Management Options

Step 1. Treat undesirable fire ant moundsusing an individual mound treatment.Products are applied as dusts, granules, gran-ules drenched with water after application,liquid drenches, baits, or aerosol injections.Non-chemical methods such as drenchingmounds with very hot water also may be used.

Step 2. Continue treating undesirablemounds that appear, as needed.

Program 3. The “Ant Elimination Method”: Thisprogram eliminates nearly all ant species in treatedareas. Its effects are more rapid than those of otherprograms, and it minimizes re-invasion of treated areasas long as the contact insecticide remains effective.However, it is more expensive, uses more insecticide,and has greater environmental impact. This approachis frequently used by commercial applicators.

Step 1. (Optional). Broadcast a bait-formulatedinsecticide in areas where there are manymounds (more than 20 per acre), or individu-ally treat fire ant mounds. Wait 2 to 3 daysafter applying a bait before conducting thenext step.

Step 2. Apply a contact insecticide to turfgrassevery 4 to 8 weeks, or when ant activity is detect-ed. Liquid or granular products that can beevenly applied to an area are appropriate forthis treatment. Some product labels instruct theuser to spray “ant hills.” Although initial surfacetreatment may not eliminate ants located deepin mounds, routine reapplication will eventuallyeliminate colonies.

Program combinations: Any of the three pro-grams can be used on specific sites within a man-aged area where different levels of fire ant controlare desired. On golf courses, for instance, Program 3might be suitable for high use areas such as puttinggreens and tee boxes. In fairways and rough areas,

Program 1 may be sufficient. On athletic fields, fireants must be eliminated, so Program 3 should be fol-lowed. Control programs should be started 6 to 8weeks before athletic fields will be used. People withsevere allergies to fire ant stings should use Program3 for their lawns or consider using a bait on a calen-dar schedule.

Homes and buildingsFire ants from colonies close to homes and other

buildings sometimes forage indoors for food andmoisture, particularly during the hot, dry, summermonths. Entire colonies occasionally nest in wall voidsor rafters, or behind large appliances, sometimes mov-ing into buildings during floods or drought. They area nuisance and can threaten sleeping or bed-riddenindividuals and pets.

Treatment optionsIf ants are entering or could enter the homefrom outdoor colonies, treat mounds near thebuilding using one of the programs describedfor Home Lawns and Other Ornamental TurfAreas. A contact insecticide with a long resid-ual effect, such as chlorpyrifos, diazinon or apyrethroid, also can be applied as an outsidebarrier around the base of the home.Caulking cracks and crevices also may helpprevent ants from entering.

If fire ants are foraging indoors and do notpose an immediate threat to residents or pets,use a bait labeled for use indoors. Examplesare baits containing abamectin (PT 370-Ascend®), hydramethylnon (MaxForce®

Granular Insect Bait or Amdro®), or bait sta-tions containing hydramethylnon (MaxForce®,Combat®) or sulfluramid (Raid® Ant BaitsPlus). Fire ant baits eliminate the colony. Baitproducts not specifically registered forimported fire ant control may or may not con-trol them.

Follow trails of foraging ants to colonies locat-ed indoors and treat them with contact insec-ticide dusts or sprays (containing bendiocarb,chlorpyrifos, pyrethroids and others) injectedinto the nest. Treating only ant trails will noteliminate the entire colony and interfereswith the use of baits.

Vacuum indoor ant trails and dispose of thevacuum bag immediately. Treat the sourcecolony or entry site of the trail using theoptions above.

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Electrical equipment and utility housings

Fire ants frequently infest electrical equipment. They chewon insulation and can cause short circuits or interfere withswitching mechanisms. Air conditioners, traffic signal boxes,and other devices can be damaged. Fire ants also nest in hous-ings around electrical and utility units. The ants move soil intothese structures, which causes corrosion, shorting, and othermechanical problems.

Note: For safety reasons, an electrician or a licensed pest controloperator should treat infested electrical equipment. Specialized productsand training are necessary to treat these sites safely and effectively.Treatment program

Step 1. Turn off all electrical service before starting.Use an individual mound treatment method to elimi-nate colonies around electrical and plumbing casingsand housings. Injectable aerosol products containingpyrethrins, or similar products, give rapid control.Hydramethylnon, abamectin or spinosad baits appliedto individual fire ant mounds will control colonies inabout 1 week, even if a colony is located within thestructure. Do not use liquid drenches, sprays, or prod-ucts that may damage insulation around electrical fix-tures. Treating a larger area around the electricalstructure is optional. Mound and area treatments aredescribed in the section on Home Lawns and OtherOrnamental Turf Areas. Be extremely careful whenapplying pesticide around water systems and wellheads to prevent contamination of wells and groundwater. Once ants are eliminated, remove debris andsoil from the equipment housings to reduce the possi-bility of short circuits.

Step 2. Treat the inside of equipment housings withproducts labeled for this use, such as State Fire AntKiller® (containing resmethrin), Rainbow InsectControl® (chlorpyrifos), Stutton® JS 685 Powder (syner-gized pyrethrins and silica gel), Ascend® (abamectin),or Elastrel® or Hot Shot® No-Pest Strip insecticide(dichlorvos).

MaintenanceAfter ants are removed from the electrical equipment,

prevent reinfestation and damage. Where possible, seal allsensitive electrical components, particularly those that arenot insulated. Examples are plastic housings containing con-tact points of switches, relays and circuit breakers.

Spray long-residual contact insecticides around housings,making sure to avoid the electrical circuitry or components.Apply specifically labeled products to the housing itself or to themounting pad (see Step 2 in the treatment program above).

Home gardensAnts occasionally feed on vegetable plants in home gar-

dens. They tunnel into potatoes underground and feed onokra buds and developing pods. The worst damage usuallyoccurs during hot, dry weather. Ants may be a nuisance togardeners during weeding and harvesting. Ants prey onsome garden pests such as caterpillars, but protect or “tend”others, such as aphids, by keeping natural enemies away.

Treatment optionsAnt mounds can be shoveled out of the garden ortreated with very hot water, taking care not to disturbplants or allow hot water to contact them.

Only a few products (those containing carbaryl,pyrethrins, pyrethrins plus diatomaceous earth orrotenone) have been registered for treating ants invegetable gardens.

Granular products containing carbaryl (Sevin®) or car-baryl plus metaldehyde have been registered for“ants” foraging in the garden. Products containingdiazinon or chlorpyrifos are registered for “soilinsects” in home gardens; they can be applied beforeplanting and may provide some temporary control offoraging fire ants. Follow all preharvest intervals indi-cated on the label when using a pesticide on andaround food plants.

The bait product Extinguish®, which contains metho-prene, is now registered for use in “cropland.” Bait prod-ucts, however, are not specifically registered for useinside home vegetable gardens, though they can beapplied outside the garden’s perimeter. Foraging antsfrom colonies both inside and outside the garden willcollect the bait and take it to their colonies.

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Fire ant management programs can be success-ful, but because they are usually implemented byindividual landowners and managers, reinfestationfrom nearby untreated areas generally occurs. Manyof the baits on the market today came from effortsto develop products suitable for area-wide treatmentprograms, and are best suited for large-scale use.

Despite great public concern, neither the statenor federal government is currently planning orfunding any large-scale fire ant treatment programs.It is up to local organizations to decide on the bestIPM strategy for a particular situation. With the helpof experts in the field, any group can organize aneffective fire ant suppression program.

The “Two-Step Method” (program 1) for HomeLawns and Other Ornamental Turf Areas is oftenthe method best suited for community-wide treat-ment. Homeowners and land managers may stillneed to treat a few mounds (“step 2”) between large-scale bait treatments, but they will need to treat farfewer than if no bait had been applied. In other

areas, where ant surveys have documented that thereare few imported fire ants and many competitor antspecies, program 2, or program combinations, maybe more suitable.

Matching the program to yourresources and needs

Basic education is critical. If you treat and yourneighbor does not, you will find your yard is quicklyre-infested. If you educate your neighbors, you cancoordinate your battle against the imported fire antmore effectively and efficiently. Developing leader-ship in some neighborhoods may be difficult, butnot an insurmountable problem. Many states haveagencies that can help in organizing communities,be it a neighborhood watch program or a fire antmanagement program. There are many ways peoplecan work together to conduct community-wide fireant suppression programs.

Organizing a Community-WideFire Ant Suppression Program

To keep ants from entering a garden, managethem properly in the surrounding landscape.Products registered for controlling ants inturf grass can be applied outside the perime-ter of the garden as a barrier, or used to treatindividual mounds near the garden.

Compost piles, mulched flowerbeds, pavement cracks, etc.

Fire ants invade compost piles and mulchedflower beds seeking warmth and moisture. They alsonest under cracked pavement, removing dirt fromunderneath sidewalks and roadways and aggravatingstructural problems. Colonies in these sites may bedifficult to locate precisely. When the exact locationof a fire ant colony is unknown, treat the area ofgreatest ant activity with a fast-acting bait productcontaining hydramethylnon, abamectin or spinosad.

Around bodies of waterFire ants require water to survive and are often

found near creeks, run-off ditches, streams, rivers,ponds, lakes and other bodies of water. If surfacewater is unavailable, they tunnel down to the watertable many feet below the ground. Every effort must

be made to avoid contaminating water with pesti-cides. Fire ant bait products contain very smallamounts of active ingredients and can be appliedclose to shorelines, but not directly to the water. Todecrease the risk of runoff into waterways, applybaits when ants are actively foraging. Near water orin drainage or flood-prone areas, individual moundtreatments should be made with care, using productssuch as acephate (Orthene®) that have low toxicityto fish. Pyrethrins and rotenone products should notbe used because they are highly toxic to fish. Do notapply surface, bait or individual mound treatments ifrain is likely to occur soon after treatment.

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Coordinating neighborhood treatment. Homeowners can coordinate treatment of their entire neigh-borhood each year, usually once in the fall and once in thespring. Each homeowner should receive instructions on: 1) appropriate fire ant bait products to purchase; 2) how toproperly broadcast a bait; and 3) treatment date(s). Eachhomeowner is expected to make his own applications orarrange for treatment on the designated treatment date(s).Contingency dates should be scheduled in case rain is forecastor the temperature is less than 65 or greater than 90 degrees Fon the primary treatment date. Volunteers can be enlisted totreat common areas, vacant lots and yards of homeowners whoare unable to make applications themselves.

Working through homeowner associations. Homeowner associations might contract with a local com-

mercial applicator to broadcast fire ant bait over the entiresubdivision periodically, including common areas and medi-ans. The contractor should be asked to evaluate the area andre-treat areas as needed.

Working through city and county government. Some states have legislation or other laws in place that

could aid your community in organizing treatment programs,(e.g., fire ant abatement legislation in Arkansas, or publichealth laws in many states). With enough citizen support, localgovernments can establish fire ant control programs that treatpublic areas and perhaps allow homeowners to have theirproperties treated for a fee. The municipal or county govern-ment could contract with a commercial pest control applica-tor. Advertising should encourage entire blocks or neighbor-hoods to sign up, because the larger the area treated, thelonger lasting the control. Treatments would include annualbroadcast applications of a fire ant bait, follow-up checks, andpossibly individual mound treatments as needed. The fee paidby individual landowners could pay for the program.

A city government might help coordinate the aerial appli-cation of a fire ant bait to an entire town. Areas where baitsmust not be applied, such as swimming pools and vegetablegardens, would have to be covered during application.Widespread citizen support would be essential. The aerialapplicators contracted by the city would have to agree to modi-fy equipment to apply the recommended amount of bait peracre, heed the FAA flying height over populated areas, andavoid bodies of water and agricultural areas where food is pro-duced. Make sure the product(s) used is registered for applica-tion to the sites treated. Many volunteers would be needed tosuccessfully coordinate and implement this program.

Planning to ensure successDetermine treatment areas. Some localized areas, even

within heavily infested regions, have little or no imported fireant infestation. Surveys should be conducted to determine ifthe number of imported fire ant mounds is high enough tojustify treatment, or what type of treatment is necessary.

Respect individual differences. Sensitivity to fire ants and tothe use of insecticides varies dramatically from person to per-son. Some individuals might not want to participate in a con-trol program because they believe fire ants are not a problemand serve useful purposes, or because they are opposed tousing insecticides, natural or otherwise, on their property. Atthe other extreme are individuals who want no fire ants ontheir property and don’t care about the methods used toachieve that goal. Participation in an area-wide program shouldbe voluntary or decided upon through a democratic process.

Promote education and recognize limitations. Thestrengths and limitations of the program should be acknowl-edged. For instance, a broadcast bait will eliminate most(usually 90 to 95 percent) of the fire ant mounds in an areatemporarily (6 to 18 months). It will not eradicate them per-manently. The speed at which suppression will occur is ratherslow. Periodic, coordinated re-application will be necessary tomaintain control. Between broadcast treatments, some indi-vidual colonies may require individual mound treatment.Properties that border untreated areas such as agriculturallands, water edges, flood plains and wilderness will likely bereinfested unless the borders of these areas are treated toform a barrier or buffer zone.

Follow pesticide laws and regulations. In each state thereis an agency that regulates the commercial application ofpesticides (e.g., Structural Pest Control Board in Texas,Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry). Although youcan apply insecticides on your own property, you can nottreat other yards in the neighborhood for a fee without alicense. State laws mandate that anyone applying insecticidesfor a fee be licensed and insured. Anyone using “restricteduse” insecticides must have a valid commercial or non-com-mercial pesticide applicator’s license. In some states, thereare special regulations governing the use of pesticides totreat public school grounds.

Read and retain the insecticide product label. Those whouse insecticides must keep the label with the product. Neverpurchase a large quantity of insecticide and repackage,divide, or store it in a container without the label. Always fol-low the directions on the product label.

Take bids and review credentials. Before contracting with acommercial applicator company or private pest control opera-tor, get several bids based on the specific services you require.These firms must be licensed by the appropriate state agency.

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Treatment methods and products vary greatly ineffectiveness, speed of activity, practicality (laborrequirements), toxicity to the user and the environ-ment, compatibility with other options, and cost.Carefully study available treatment methods andtheir proper use in order to choose the best one fora particular situation. Many methods and productshave been evaluated. Information is available fromcounty Extension agents and Extension entomolo-gists. Individual mound treatment cost ranges fromabout $0.15 to more than $1.00 per mound, and baittreatments can cost $8.00 per acre or more.

Natural and biological controlA number of organisms kill newly-mated fire ant

queens. These include birds, lizards, spiders, toads,dragonflies, robber flies, other ant species, and fireants from surrounding colonies. Animals that eat ants,such as armadillos, may disturb mounds and eat someworkers, but they are not really useful in control.

Some parasites and pathogens are known toattack ants, and several have been marketed for fireant control. The predatory straw-itch mite, Pyemotestritici (Lagreze-Fossat and Montane), that feeds onand paralyzes developing fire ants, has not proven tobe effective when applied as directed and is poten-tially hazardous to the user. Parasitic nematodes(e.g., Steinernema spp.) are roundworms that seek outand enter insects, paralyzing them and developing intheir bodies. Species and strains vary in their effec-tiveness. Strains tested to date caused ants in treatedmounds to temporarily move away from the treatedmound, but few colonies were actually eliminated.Parasitic fungi (e.g., Beuvaria bassiana) strains andformulations are also being evaluated as individualmound and broadcast bait treatments. The mosteffective biological control organisms for large-scaleprograms will likely be those that spread by them-selves from mound to mound and persist from yearto year. Several are being evaluated, including para-sitic phorid flies, a protozoan disease of fire antscalled Thelohania, and parasitic ants.

It is hoped that introducing natural enemies offire ants into the U.S. may someday help to controlthem, although natural enemies will not eliminatefire ants. In South America, where fire ants havemany natural enemies, the ants are still present, butoccur in lower numbers.

Currently, the best biological control method forfire ants is to preserve native and exotic ant speciesthat compete with them for food and nesting sites.One way to preserve native ants is the judicious useof insecticides.

Physical and mechanical methods

Pouring very hot or boiling water on a mound isa fairly effective treatment, particularly at timeswhen ants are close to the mound surface, such ason a cool, sunny morning. Approximately 3 gallonsof very hot (almost boiling) water poured on eachmound will eliminate about 60 percent of themounds treated. Be careful handling large volumesof hot water to prevent serious burns, and keep hotwater off of desired plants and grass.

Sometimes it may be sufficient to move coloniesaway from sensitive areas such as gardens. Disturbingor knocking down mounds frequently will causecolonies to move. Some people believe shovelingone mound on top of another will force ants to killeach other, but this is not true.

Certain barriers can keep ants out of sensitiveareas such as duck nesting boxes or greenhousebenches. Talcum powder and Teflon®-like tape orspray products can be used on vertical surfaces, butthese treatments lose their effectiveness in humid ordamp conditions. Tanglefoot®, a petroleum-basedsticky material available as a gel or aerosol, is effec-tive temporarily until it becomes coated with dustand other debris. Plates or wires heated to about 140degrees F form a hot barrier that ants will not cross.

Fire Ant TreatmentMethods

Control devicesVarious mechanical and electrical products have been

marketed for fire ant control. One device is designed to elec-trocute fire ant workers as they climb onto an electric gridinserted into the mound. It will kill many worker ants, butthe queens and brood are unaffected. Similar devices placedin utility housings may, however, be useful as ant “decoys” or“traps” and are being evaluated to determine if they can pro-tect electrical equipment. There are vibrating and sound-pro-ducing units designed to repel colonies, and devices that usemicrowaves or explosive elements to heat mounds or blowthem up. Such products are often marketed without scientif-ic evaluation. The fact that a “control” device is on the mar-ket does not indicate that it is effective. These products maykill some ants, but rarely eliminate a colony. Deceptive orfraudulent claims concerning fire ant control devices shouldbe reported to the state’s Attorney General or the FederalTrade Commission.

Home remediesIn addition to very hot or boiling water, other “home

remedies” have been tried. While these methods sometimesappear to work, they rarely eliminate colonies. Usually, theant colony simply moves to a new location because of the dis-turbance, or the queen and a few workers temporarilyremain hidden underground.

Gasoline and other petroleum products do kill some fireant colonies. However, petroleum products are dangerouslyflammable or explosive, kill grass and plants around the treat-ed mounds, and can seriously pollute the soil and groundwater. Use of petroleum products, solvents, battery acids,bleaches or ammonia products can be dangerous and isstrongly discouraged, except when they are ingredients in aregistered pesticide product accompanied by usage directions.

Soap solutions, cleaning products or wood ashes soakedinto the mound are believed to remove the protective oilcoating from the ants. However, their effectiveness in killingcolonies is not documented.

Sprinkling grits or other solid food substances onto fireant mounds is ineffective. In theory, the ants eat the grits,which then swell and rupture the ants’ stomachs. In fact,only the last stage of the developing fire ant is known todigest solid food. All other life stages feed only on liquids orgreasy materials. Some natural substances found in crushedor grated citrus peels are toxic to fire ants. Effective formula-tions and application techniques for these naturally-occur-ring chemicals (e.g., Citrex,TM containing d-limonene) havebeen and are being developed.

“Organic” insecticides Any chemical product sold with a claim that it kills fire

ants must be registered by the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) or approved by the appropriate state regulato-ry agency. Several products said to be “organic” (of natural

origin) are currently marketed for fire ant control (see Table1 for naturally produced metabolite and botantical products).All of these products are registered by the EPA as pesticidesand some are very effective. However, they are not necessarilysafer than other insecticides, and should be used with care.

Chemical controlPesticides are products designed to kill target organisms.

An insecticide is a pesticide formulated to kill insects.Chemical insecticides (both “organic” and synthetic) contin-ue to be the main method of battling fire ants. Insecticidesregistered by the EPA are considered to pose minimal risk tothe user and the environment when used as directed.Insecticide applications can be aimed at the foraging antsand/or at the entire colony. Table 1 lists fire ant insecticidesby generic names of active ingredients. Carefully follow direc-tions on the product label for the proper method of applica-tion, the use of protective clothing, re-entry intervals, andwatering practices before and after treatment.

BaitsMost conventional bait formulations combine pesticide

ingredients with soybean oil, which is absorbed ontoprocessed corn grit. Soybean oil is an attractive food for antsthat is important to the success of the bait. Because thesebaits are granular in texture, be careful not to confuse themwith granular products that contain contact insecticides (seeTable 1). Fire ant baits should have the word “BAIT” clearlylisted on the label. Baits can be applied as spot treatments toindividual mounds or broadcast over larger areas. To achievesatisfactory results:

Use fresh bait, preferably from a just opened contain-er or one which has been tightly resealed and storedfor no more than 2 years. Purchase only enough baitto make one treatment and do not store large quanti-ties once the containers have been opened. Bait is col-lected by ants only when it is fresh. It is then carried

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back to the colony and shared with othermembers of the colony. Rancid or stale bait isignored by foraging ants. To check the qualityof your bait, place a little near an ant moundto see if ants are attracted to it, as describedbelow.

Apply when worker ants are actively foraging.This can also be determined by leaving asmall pile, e.g., 1 to 2 tablespoons, of bait inthe area to be treated. When ants are seenactively removing the bait 10 to 30 minuteslater, you will know that the bait is attractiveto ants and that ants are foraging. You canalso use tuna fish, pet food or potato chips tosee if ants are foraging. Foraging activity slowswhen soil temperature is lower than 65 to 70degrees F or higher than 90 degrees F. Inmid-summer, apply bait in late afternoon orearly evening, because foraging ants are lessactive during the heat of the day.

Apply baits when the ground and grass aredry and no rain is expected.

Do not mix bait with other materials such asfertilizer or seed.

Use appropriate application equipment andcalibrate it properly. Differences in the oili-ness of bait brands and production batchescan cause variations in applicator output.Temperature and humidity also affect the rateat which bait flows through the applicatoropening. The speed at which the applicator ismoving is an important factor, particularlywith factory-calibrated settings. Over-applica-tion provides little or no increase in controland adds greatly to the cost. Under-applica-tion may decrease effectiveness.

The availability of bait products is a problem,especially in areas recently invaded by the fire ant. Ifyou can not find some of the products mentioned inthis publication, contact the store manager, visit yourlocal co-op, or contact your county Extension agentto determine if the product is available in your area.Sometimes many of the bait products are sold onlythrough specialty stores such as lawn and gardensupply stores or pesticide wholesalers that sell profes-sional products.

Hand-operated spreaders such as the Ortho®

Whirlybird, and Republic or Scott’s Hand-heldSpreader, are the least expensive applicators and areadequate for treating small areas. The operator canwalk or ride on the back of a vehicle. Some push-type applicators, such as Spyker® Models 24 and 44,also may be suitable, but some modification (attach

fire ant plate) is required to keep from applying toomuch material. Most rotary and drop-type fertilizerspreaders will not apply fire ant baits at the recom-mended rate.

Electric spreaders such as the Herd® Model GT-77A or similar applicators are best for treating largeareas. These spreaders have vibrating opening platesthat prevent clogging. Swath width is either pre-setor adjustable with a rheostat. Applicators can bemounted on any vehicle that will maintain a lowspeed. Do not use ground-driven or power take off-driven equipment, because it can rarely be set toapply such a low rate. Aerial application requiressome modifications to the aircraft and applicationequipment. A description of these relatively simplemodifications and calibration methods can beobtained from bait product manufacturers.

In addition to their use as a broadcast treatment,baits can be used for an individual mound treatmentor spot treatment. Compared to other mound treat-ment products, baits cause less hazard to the envi-ronment and less mound relocation. Several baitproducts (hydramethylnon, sulfluramid) are avail-able in bait stations that you place where ants areforaging (indoors or outdoors). Bait products con-taining hydramethylnon, abamectin or spinosadused to treat individual ant colonies work faster thanwhen broadcast-applied. This is, however, not thecase with insect growth regulator (IGR) baits con-taining fenoxycarb, methoprene or pyriproxyfen.Apply bait products as directed on the product label.

Individual mound treatments with contact insecticides

In addition to baits, mound treatment insecti-cides are formulated as dusts, liquids, granules andaerosols. Their effectiveness depends on properapplication. Contact insecticides must contact ants towork and should be applied during times of the year(and times of the day) when ants are close to themound surface. It is also important not to disturbthe mound during treatment if this is stated on the

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product label. Individual mound treatment selectively elimi-nates only the ant colonies treated, and preserves desirablecompetitor ant species.

Mound drenchesAlthough a few are ready-to-use, most fire ant mound

drenches are formulated as liquid concentrates that must bediluted in the amount of water specified on the label. Avoidskin contact with the concentrate or mixture. Mix the properamount in a gallon container, such as a sprinkling can, plain-ly marked “POISON.” Do not use the container for any otherpurpose. Properly store or discard containers after use. Pourthe solution on top of and around an undisturbed mound.Most mound drenches require a day or two to eliminate thecolony, although those containing pyrethrins are effectivealmost immediately.

Granular productsTo treat a single mound with a granular product, meas-

ure the recommended amount in a measuring cup andsprinkle it on top of and around the mound. Do not disturbthe mound. If the label specifies to water in the insecticide,use a sprinkling can and water the mound gently to avoid dis-turbing the colony. Several days may pass before the entirecolony is eliminated.

DustsSome products, such as those containing acephate

(Orthene®), are specially labeled for dusting individual fireant mounds. Distribute the recommended amount of thepowder evenly over the mound. Treatments work best whenants are near the top of the undisturbed mound. Treatedcolonies are usually eliminated in several days.

Injectable productsProducts containing pyrethrins, resmethrin, tetramethrin

or chlorpyrifos are manufactured in special aerosol contain-ers to which an injection rod is attached. The rod is insertedinto the mound in a number of places, according to instruc-tions on the product label, and the pesticide is injected for aspecified time into each mound. Special equipment isrequired to apply PT® 270 Dursban® (chlorpyrifos) andEarthfire® (resmethrin), which are available only to pest con-trol operators.

Surface applications and barriers in and around structures

Products used to treat ant trails and colonies in wall voidsare usually dusts or sprays, although some are mixtures ofinsecticide and latex paint. Unless the colony itself is treated,these products only reduce the number of foraging workerants. Surface treatments are also used to create barriers toprotect items or areas from foraging worker ants.

Surface applications outdoorsGranular insecticides are applied with fertilizer spreaders.

These materials must be thoroughly watered into the soilafter application. Liquid formulations are applied with ahigh-volume hydraulic, hose-end or boom sprayer. Some con-tact insecticides are relatively long-acting (weeks to months),suppress foraging ants quickly, and prevent small moundsfrom becoming established. Through repeated use, thesetreatments can eliminate colonies.

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Do not apply more product than specified on the label. Water itproperly.

Properly identifying the ant species is the firststep in determining the need for control. Mosthomeowners recognize imported fire ants by themounds they build, or the sting the ants inflict.However, there are other characteristics to look for.Their aggressive nature relative to other ant speciesis one such trait. Generally, hundreds of fire antworkers will swarm out of the ant mound when dis-turbed, and run up vertical surfaces to sting. If youare unsure of the ant species you have, contact yourcounty Extension office for assistance with properidentification.

Fire ants are social insects and unlike manyinsect pests, they are very organized. Red importedfire ant colonies consist of the brood and severaltypes (castes) of adults. The whitish objects oftenfound at the tops of the mounds are actually theant’s developmental stages—the eggs, larvae andpupae. Types of adults are:

winged males (distinguished from the femalesby their smaller heads and black bodiesexcept in black or hybrid imported fire antsthat may have darker females);

red-brown winged females;

one or more queens (wingless, matedfemales); and

workers (see Fig. 2).

Worker ants are wingless, sterile females. Theyprotect the queen by defending the nest fromintruders, by feeding the queen only food that theworkers or larvae have eaten first, and by moving thequeen from danger. They also forage and care forthe developing brood.

The winged forms, or reproductives, live in themound until their mating flight, which usuallyoccurs in the late morning and afternoon soon aftera rainy period. Mating flights are most common inspring and fall. Males die soon after mating, whilethe fertilized queen lands and walks around to find asuitable nesting site, sheds her wings, and begins dig-ging a chamber in which to start a new colony.Sometimes several queens can be found within asingle nesting site.

A newly-mated queen lays about a dozen eggs.When they hatch 7 to 10 days later, the larvae arefed by the queen. These larvae will develop into

small worker antsthat will feed thequeen and her sub-sequent offspring.Later on, a queenfed by worker antscan lay from 800 to1,000 eggs per day ifneeded. Larvaedevelop in 6 to 10days and thenpupate. Adultsemerge 9 to 15 dayslater. The averagecolony contains100,000 to 500,000 workers and up to several hun-dred winged forms and queens. Queen ants can live7 years or more, while worker ants generally liveabout 5 weeks, although large workers can survivemuch longer.

In addition to hybrid imported fire ants, thereare two kinds of red imported fire ant colonies—thesingle queen and multiple queen forms. Workers insingle queen colonies are territorial. Workers frommultiple queen colonies move freely from onemound to another, which has resulted in a dramaticincrease in the number of mounds per acre. Areasinfested with single queen colonies contain 40 to 150mounds per acre (rarely more than 7 million antsper acre). In areas with multiple queen colonies,there may be 200 or more mounds and 40 millionants per acre.

The red imported fire ant builds mounds inalmost any type of soil, but prefers open, sunny areassuch as pastures, parks, lawns, meadows and cultivat-ed fields. Mounds can reach 18 to 24 inches high,depending on the type of soil. Often mounds arelocated in rotting logs and around stumps and trees.Colonies also can occur in or under buildings.

Colonies frequently migrate from one site toanother. A queen needs only half a dozen workers tostart a new colony, and can build a new mound sev-eral hundred feet away from the previous locationalmost overnight. Flooding causes colonies to leavetheir mounds and float until they can reach landand establish a new mound. Colonies also canmigrate to indoor locations.

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Fire Ant Biology andIdentification

15

Native tro

pical fire an

ts*

Big

-head

ed an

ts*

Imported

fire ants

Crazy an

ts

Arg

entin

e ants

Foreliu

san

ts*

Little black an

ts*

Little black an

ts attacking

fire ant q

ueen

Little black an

t nest

Pyramid

ant

Foreliu

san

t nest

Native tro

pical fire an

ts Tro

pical fire an

t mound

Red

harvester an

ts Red

harvester n

est

Figure 2. Imported fire ant in com

parison to some other com

mon ants.

* Com

petitor species

Fire ants are aggressive and will defensivelyattack anything that disturbs them. Fire ants cansting repeatedly. Symptoms of a fire ant stinginclude burning, itching and a white pustulethat forms a day or two afterward. Often peoplenote a circular pattern of pustules, which maybe caused by one ant stinging several times.Although the stings are not usually life threaten-ing, they are easily infected if the skin is broken,and may leave permanent scars.

If the only symptoms are pain and the devel-opment of pustules, stings can be treated withover-the-counter products that relieve insectbites and stings.

If a sting causes severe chest pain, nausea,severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swellingor slurred speech, the person should be takento an emergency medical facility immediately.These are symptoms of an allergic reaction oranaphylactic shock. Some people may lapse into acoma from just one sting. Compared to deaths frombee and wasp stings, relatively few deaths from fireant stings have been documented.

People sensitive to fire ant stings should seek theadvice of an allergist. Once a person has discoveredthat he/she is allergic to the fire ant venom, extracare must be taken to avoid stings. Often individualsallergic to the venom will carry epinephrin (“Epikits”) or undergo treatment in an attempt to desen-sitize their reaction to the venom.

Tips for avoiding medical emergencies and for treat-ing ant stings:

Teach children and visitors about fire antsand their hazard.

Wear protective clothing during outdooractivities. Wear shoes or boots and/or tuckpant legs into socks.

Treat stings with an insect bite remedy thatdeadens pain and protects against infection.

Control fire ants in areas used most frequentlyby people and pets.

Use insect repellents on clothing andfootwear (these treatments can temporarilydiscourage foraging ants).

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Medical Problems

More than 65 years ago, the red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren, was accidentally brought into Mobile,Alabama from South America. It now infests more than 275million acres, comprising most of nine southeastern statesand Puerto Rico, with small infestations in Tennessee,Oklahoma, New Mexico and California. Another species, theblack imported fire ant, Solenopsis richteri Forel, was also intro-duced, but the range of this species is limited to northeasternMississippi, northwestern Alabama and southern Tennessee,with a large population of hybrids between S. richteri and S.invicta that extends into parts of Georgia (Fig. 1). Fire antscan travel long distances when newly mated queens land oncars, trucks or trains, or when winged forms are carried bythe wind. Shipments of nursery stock or soil from an infestedarea may relocate entire colonies or nests.

Why eradication programs failedAttempts in the late 1960s and early 70s to eradicate the

imported fire ant were not successful. The pesticides used,although effective, were no match against species capable of re-invading previously treated areas. The reasons for fail-ure are debatable, but it is now known that eradication ishindered by the ant’s biology and by problems with treat-ment methods.

Biological obstacles to eradicationThe ants infest such an extensive area that a single treat-

ment would take years and massive resources to apply. Fireants have a high reproductive rate and disperse easily.Thousands of reproductive females are produced per colony,and the mated females begin a colony wherever they land.Queens can fly up to a mile on their own, or farther when car-ried by the wind. The ants eliminate competing insects andthen rapidly overwhelm an area. Whole colonies can move,and in the multiple queen form, the colonies can split intomany new colonies. The queen is protected from many poisonbaits because she is fed only food eaten first by workers andlarvae. If a poison works too rapidly, the worker is killed beforethe poison is passed to the queen. Finally, worker ants fromwell-fed colonies may not forage on a bait product, or a baitmay not be as attractive as some abundant natural food.

Colonies move vertically and horizontally in the soil pro-file to escape the effects of flood, drought, and extreme tem-peratures. When new colonies are not actively foraging, theymay be protected from baits or other pesticides applied tothe soil surface.

Pesticidal obstacles to eradicationPesticide treatments are expensive and time-consuming,

and there are only three basic approaches. The first is sur-face treatment using a residual contact poison. Thisapproach is the least environmentally sound because thetreated surface remains toxic for a long time. The ants maysurvive by foraging underground. The second is individualmound treatment, which involves the application of a largevolume of pesticide to reach the queen. However, it is nearlyimpossible to locate all of the colonies in an area, difficult tomanipulate large volumes of liquid, and treatment is moreexpensive and time-consuming. Colonies not eliminated maymove or split into several colonies. The third method is baittreatment, which uses some sort of attractive substance theants like to eat. Unfortunately, baits are not always con-sumed, and the bait’s attractiveness is short-lived. The baitmust be slow-acting and effective over a range of doses, sincethe dose the ants get cannot be controlled. Baits may also beattractive to and kill some native ant species that competewith fire ants.

Economic, regulatory and environmental obstacles to eradication

The best way to treat large areas (hundreds of acres) is byan aerial application of bait. However, not all areas can betreated because of label restrictions and application limita-tions. Even with a bait product, it is not feasible to treat theentire infested area or even a large part of a single state, anduntreated areas are sources for reinfestation. The larger thetreatment area the more slowly reinfestation occurs. If period-ic treatments are discontinued, the area may become moreinfested than it originally was within a year or two becausetreatments may have eliminated competing ant species.

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History of Control Efforts

Fire ant insecticides, modes of action and formula-tions, with generic names of active ingredients and some examples of product names.

BaitsHydramethylnon (amidinohydrazone) and sulfluramid(n-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamide) - These ingredi-ents kill ants by preventing them from converting foodinto energy. These baits eliminate fire ant colonies with-in a week when applied to individual mounds, but takeseveral weeks when broadcast. They are also formulatedin bait granules and stations. (Amdro®, Siege®, Combat®,MaxForce®, Raid® Ant Baits Plus)

Avermectins (abamectin) - This bait product is derivedfrom a soil fungus and inhibits nerve transmission. As amound treatment, it kills worker ants and coloniesquickly, but as a broadcast treatment it acts more likean insect growth regulator, preventing the productionof viable eggs. (AscendTM, ClinchTM, VarsityTM)

Spinosyns (spinosad) - These natural metabolite prod-ucts are produced by a soil microorganism

(Saccharopolyspora spinosa) and affect the nervous system.Bait formulations have a speed of activity similar tohydramethylnon and sulfluramid baits. (Eliminator FireAnt Killer Bait with Conserve®, Penn KillTM Fire AntKiller and others)

Insect Growth Regulators (fenoxycarb, methoprene,pyriproxyfen) - These materials mimic the effects of theinsect’s own juvenile hormone, reducing the produc-tion of viable eggs and preventing the development ofworker ants for up to a year after application. They donot kill adult ants. Treated ant colonies persist for sev-eral months after treatment, until worker ants presentat the time of treatment die naturally. These productsare formulated as a bait to be applied to individualmounds or broadcast. (Award®, Logic®, Extinguish®,Distance®, Spectracide® Fire Ant Bait)

Contact InsecticidesBotanicals (d-limonene, pyrethrins, rotenone, pine oil,turpentine) - These plant-derived products have variousmodes of action. D-limonene is a citrus oil extract thatkills ants quickly. Pyrethrins, which act on the nerveaxon, also kill ants quickly (within minutes to hours)and can be used as mound treatments or surface sprays.Rotenone acts on respiratory tissues, along with nervesand muscles. Pyrethrins and rotenone products breakdown rapidly in the environment. Rotenone and pineoil (turpentine) products are relatively slow-acting (daysto weeks) and are applied as mound drenches.(CitrexTM, Insecto® Formula 7, Organic SolutionsTM

Multipurpose Fireant Killer, Organic Plus® Fire AntKiller and others)

Derivatives of Pyrethrins (allethrin, resmethrin, sum-ithrin, tetramethrin) - Like pyrethrins, these productsdestabilize nerve cell membranes and kill quickly, butare quickly deactivated and have little residual activity.They are applied as aerosol injections, mound drench-es or surface sprays. (Enforcer® Fire Ant Killer)

Pyrethroids (bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin,deltamethrin, fenvalerate, fluvalinate, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, s-bioallethrin, s-fenvalerate,tefluthrin, tralomethrin) - These products also destabi-lize nerve cell membranes. They can persist in the envi-ronment longer than pyrethrins and their derivatives.

They are relatively quick-killing and are applied asmound drenches, dusts or surface sprays and granules.

Carbamates (bendiocarb, carbaryl) - These materialsdisrupt nerve transmission (cholinesterase inhibitor).They are relatively quick-killing and are used as mounddrenches and surface sprays. (Sevin®, Turcam®)

Organophosphates (acephate, chlorpyrifos, diazinon,dichlorvos, fenthion, isofenphos, malathion, propetam-phos, propoxur, trichlorfon) - These products alsointerfere with nerve cell transmission (cholinesteraseinhibitor). They are relatively quick-killing. Formulatedas aerosols, liquids, dusts or granules, they are appliedas mound treatments or surface applications.(Dursban®, Oftanol®, Orthene® and others)

Inorganic Compounds - Boric acid is a slow-acting stom-ach poison. It is commonly formulated as a dust or liq-uid bait for control of ants. Diatomaceous earth prod-ucts (D.E., silicone dioxide) are usually applied to anttrails indoors. D.E. abrades the waxy layer from theinsect exoskeleton, causing the insect to desiccate.However, D.E. does not eliminate colonies within treat-ed mounds. When D.E. is used as a carrier in formula-tions of pyrethrins, it may enhance penetration of thisbotanical insecticide into insect bodies.

Policy statement for making chemical control suggestionsSuggested pesticides must be registered and labeled for use by the Environmental Protection Agency and the appropri-

ate state Department of Agriculture or regulatory agency. The status of pesticide label clearances is subject to change andmay have changed since this publication was printed. County Extension agents and specialists are advised of changes as theyoccur.

The USER is always responsible for the effects of pesticide residues, as well as for problems that could arise from drift ormovement of pesticides from his property to that of others. Always read and follow carefully the instructions on the productlabel.

The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names ismade with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the participating states’Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

For additional information about imported fire ant management, contact your county Extension agent or visit these WorldWide Web Sites:

http://fireant.tamu.eduhttp://insects.tamu.edu.http://www.aces.eduhttp://www.ag.auburn.edu/dept/ent/FireAnts/fireant.htmlhttp://www.lsu.edu/ants

AcknowledgementsThe authors are grateful for reviews of earlier drafts of this publication by John A. Jackman, Homer Collins, Linda M.Hooper-Bui, and Jerry Cook.

Original Production by Agricultural Communications, The Texas A&M University SystemJudy Winn, EditorMichelle Mikeska, Graphic Designer

Made Available by Dale Pollet, Ph. D. Entomology Specialist, LSU AgCenter & LSU AgCenter Communications

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, William B. Richardson, ChancellorLouisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Jack L. Bagent, Vice Chancellor and Director Pub. 2817 (3M) 9/2000 NewIssued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.