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Q: What is a Vector?

A vector is any insect or arthropod, rodent or other animal of public health significance capable of harboring or transmitting the causative agents of human disease, or capable of causing human discomfort or injury.

fire antsRED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS (RIFA)

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Information About Fire Ants

RIFA Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) are very aggressive ants that are native to South America.  They vigorously defend their nests, attack in large numbers and sting repeatedly.  For a small percentage of the population who are allergic to the venom, RIFA stings can be fatal. 

 

Leg with RIFA bites
This is also true of the very old or young as well as anyone else unable to escape the attack.  For the rest of us fire ants inflict painful stings that form pustules, itching for up to two weeks.
Leg with RIFA bites

Humans are not the only ones subject to RIFA attacks; ants will be attracted to pet food left out and will sting when disturbed by a hungry pet.  These attacks can be quite serious since the first part of the animal to get stung is usually the muzzle.  If there are enough stings in the right place, the swelling caused by the venom can obstruct breathing.  

The toll taken on wildlife can be considerable.  The numbers and variety of reptiles and amphibians remaining in an area infested by RIFA is a fraction of what was there before.  Any ground or low nesting birds will be impacted as well.  While the fire ant’s need for moisture will limit the wild land infestation to wetlands, one half of threatened species are at least somewhat dependent on wetlands

The attraction of RIFA to electrical current creates a whole new set of issues.  Any outdoor electrical equipment is subject to damage by fire ants.  Air conditioners, spas, outdoor lighting and irrigation controllers are all commonly damaged by RIFA in areas where the ants have become established.

Air conditioner
Light fixture
Damaged air conditioner
Damaged light fixture

 

Currently, much of southern California, including all of Orange County, is under nursery quarantine.  Nurseries in the quarantine area must bait survey the entire property every 90 days. They must also treat every piece of plant material they ship, regardless of the survey results.  Treatment is usually done by incorporating a pesticide into the soil mix at planting time.  Not only is this procedure expensive, but the amount of pesticide being used also means runoff is likely to become an issue.  Nurseries in Orange County are spending between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 every year to comply.  Recapturing these costs are difficult in a competitive market, margins must suffer.

 

Plant
RIFA destroying vegetation

 

 
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RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT BULLETIN

What to do if you see fire ants:
1) Contact Us

2) We recommend you contact us and not treat the ants yourself