Do I Need to Report Fire Ants?
WouterWhether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, you may have questions about whether you need to report fire ants. These ants are a threat to human and animal health, and can destroy crops and native plants. You can find out more about them at the National Red Imported Fire Ant Eradication Program website.
Fire ants are very aggressive pests, and can sting people and animals if they’re disturbed. Their venom is painful, and can lead to allergic reactions.
If you have a suspected fire ant infestation, you can report it to your local extension agent. Some extension offices may even have information on how to identify the fire ant species in your area.
If you’re concerned about fire ants, you may want to consider calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline. This will put you in contact with a local department and put you in touch with the proper resources.
The Texas legislature funded the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research & Management Project. This project conducted extensive surveys to detect and control fire ants.
Fire ants are also known to damage outdoor electrical fixtures. Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are used to block the development of immature ants.
Whether you need to report fire ants or not is determined by the severity of the infestation. For example, if you live in a heavily infested area, you may not be able to completely eradicate the ants.
If you live in a heavily infested community, you may need to contact the county to submit a report. You can also request an Ant Identification Collection Kit. This kit can be sent to your home.
