Red Imported Fire Ant Resource Page
Resources from the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology
Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) distribution in Virginia
RIFA is found primarily in southeastern Virginia but has been spreading westward along the southern border. RIFA has been found in the Cities of Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Emporia, Franklin and Danville; and in the counties of James City, York, Brunswick, Isle of Wight, Greensville, Mecklenburg, Southampton, Lee, Halifax, Charlotte, Lunenburg, Dinwiddie, and Sussex. Additional locations will be added to this list as they are verified by the US Department of Agriculture.
https://www.ento.vt.edu/4-H_Entomology/fire_ant.html
The Fire Ant Quarantine by VDACS only includes locations on its map near transportation corridors or with large, widespread populations of Red Imported Fire Ant The quarantine covers 7 counties and 11 cities.
https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/fire-ant-quar-map.pdf
Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) 444-284 (ENTO-342P)
As of 2019, multiple Virginia counties and cities are now under the Federal Fire Ant Quarantine. For all practical purposes, the implementation of the quarantine means that the US Department of Agriculture will no longer be responsible for controlling fire ant colonies within the quarantine areas. Therefore, it is important for citizens within the quarantine areas to become familiar with the risks associated with fire ants, and to learn how to properly control fire ant infestations.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-284/444-284.html
Red Imported Fire Ant Logger Self-Inspection Checklist
RIFA is found in loose, uncompacted soil in places like cutovers, edges of wooded areas, logging roads, and parking areas for trucks and equipment. Soil picked up by skidders, truck landing gear, and earth moving equipment can harbor and carry RIFA.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ento-492/ENTO-492.pdf
Red Imported Fire Ant Farmer Self-Inspection Checklist
RIFA is found in loose, uncompacted soil in hay fields, row crops, roadsides, and pastures. Soil picked up by combines, planters, cultivators, plows, hay bales, and earth moving equipment can harbor and carry fire ants.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ento-493/ENTO-493.pdf
Avoiding Fire Ant Stings
Imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta) are an increasing concern for homeowners and farming operations as fire ants expand their range in Virginia.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ento-481/ENTO-481.pdf
Horticultural & Forest Crops 2022 Red Imported Fire Ant Management for Foresters and Loggers
Fire ants have been found in forest clearings following timber harvests and during site preparation and reforestation operations. See the section on Pests Of Forestry And Christmas Trees: Red Imported Fire Ant Management for Foresters and Loggers on page 8-22 in the Pest Management Guide for Horticultural & Forest Crops 2022.
https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/456/456-017/ENTO-463-H.pdf
Resources from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS)
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services fire ant web page
Information on biology, reporting infestations, and quarantine information
https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-fire-ant-suppressioneand-eradication.shtml
Red Imported Fire Ant quarantine map
The Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) quarantine covers 7 counties and 11 cities
https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pdf/fire-ant-quar-map.pdf
Resources from the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Quarantine and federal regulations on Red Imported Fire Ant.
Moving Baled Hay from Areas Under Quarantine for Imported Fire Ant
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/plant_health/fsc-baled-hay-ifa.pdf
Truckers: Don’t Let Imported Fire Ants Hitch a Ride
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/fireants/downloads/ifa-truckers-brochure.pdf
Potential Range of Imported Fire Ants in the US
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/fireants/downloads/ifa-potential-range.pdf
Resources from the U.S. Forest Service
Forest Service Red Imported Fire Ant Program
Resources from Cooperative Extension programs outside Virginia
University of Georgia, Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas
University of Florida, Featured Creatures: Red Imported Fire Ant
https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/ants/red_imported_fire_ant.htm
Texas A&M, How Can I Tell if I Have Fire Ants?
https://fireant.tamu.edu/manage/how-can-i-tell-if-i-have-fire-ants/
Clemson University, Managing Fire Ants in the Vegetable Garden
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/controlling-fire-ants-in-the-vegetable-garden/
Clemson University, Fire Ant Management in the Home Lawn
https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/fire-ant-management-in-the-home-lawn/