Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)

Second Windward Little Fire Ant Infestation Found in Ahuimanu

For Immediate Release from Hawaii Department of Agriculture:  March 7, 2019 

HONOLULU – Little fire ants (LFA) have been confirmed in a second Windward Oahu neighborhood. A resident in Ahuimanu reported stinging ants and surveys of the area and a nearby home of a relative detected two infestation sites around Ahuimanu Rd. The main site involves 13 properties and the other site involves five properties, totaling about three acres, including 15-meter buffer zones around each site. The area was treated today by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and the Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL). Crews also conducted the second treatment of the Kaneohe neighborhood where LFA was detected in December. HDOA Plant Pest Control specialists from Hawaii Island were also brought in to help conduct
the treatments.

In late January, an Ahuimanu resident reported stinging ants and HDOA entomologists confirmed that they were LFA. Crews conducted multiple surveys of the neighborhood to determine the boundaries of the two infestations. The infestations in Kaneohe and Ahuimanu do not appear to be related.

Last week, LFA was also confirmed on a plant that was purchased at the Punahou Carnival in early February. Those who purchased plants at the carnival are also being urged to test their plants for LFA. So far, no LFA have been reported on any other plants sold at the carnival. Suspected LFA should be reported to HDOA’s Plant Pest Control Branch at (808) 973-9538.

“These recent detections should be a warning to homeowners on all uninfested islands to check for little fire ants periodically,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, acting chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “People traveling from infested areas should also be very cautious of potentially transporting these tiny ants in plant material, baggage and cargo.”

The Kaneohe infestation zone includes a total of 11 properties covering about two acres around Alokahi St. That area was treated today for the second time following a treatment plan developed by HAL researchers. It involves the use of several types of pesticides and bait formulas applied in six-week intervals for a total of at least eight treatments. Monitoring of the treated areas will continue for several years.

In 2015, LFA was successfully eradicated in a six-acre infestation site in Mililani Mauka using the same treatment protocol being used in the two Windward Oahu infestation sites.

LFA has been found on Hawaii Island since 1999 and the population is widespread on that island.

Since that initial detection, HAL and HDOA have developed a treatment strategy that has helped to prevent the spread of LFA to other islands.

HDOA and partner agencies, including the Invasive Species Committees on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui County and the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) have been asking residents on Oahu, Kauai and Maui County to survey their properties for LFA by using a little peanut butter on a chopstick and leave them in several areas for about one hour. Any ants collected should be put in a sealable plastic bag, placed in the freezer for at least 24 hours and dropped off or mailed to any HDOA office. An informational flyer may be downloaded at: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2014/05/LFASurvey.pdf

In addition, the Department of Land and Natural (DLNR) Resources has produced a three-minute video, “How to Test for LFA,” which shows the step-by-step procedure for testing for LFA. The video is available at: https://vimeo.com/97558997

Originally from Central and South America, LFA is considered among the world’s worst invasive species. LFA are tiny ants, measuring 1/16th inch long, are pale orange in color. LFA move slowly, unlike the tropical fire ant, which is established in Hawaii, move quickly, and are much larger with a larger head in proportion to its body. LFA can produce painful stings and large red welts and may cause blindness in pets. They can build up very large colonies on the ground, in trees and other vegetation, and buildings and homes and completely overrun a property.

Suspected invasive species should be reported to the state’s toll-free PEST HOTLINE – 643-PEST (7378).

OCTOBER IS “SPOT THE ANT, STOP THE ANT MONTH”

Have you tested for little fire ant?

This October is “Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant Month” in Hawai‘i. This campaign is being conducted state-wide to educate residents of the threats posed by little fire ant, especially the painful stings to our families and the blindness it causes in pets. We are asking for your help to participate in early detection surveys by testing their yards for LFA and submit their samples to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. By testing once a year, you can ensure that you are either LFA-free or find the ants while the infestation is still small enough to eradicate.

During the month of October, you can pick up free LFA testing kits AND drop off your ants at the following libraries on Oahu: 

Hawaii State Library,  Hawaii Kai,  Kahuku,   Kailua,   Kaneohe,   Manoa,   Mililani,   Wahiawa,  and Waimanalo.

Do you need a pre-packaged kit? Nope! …if you have chopsticks, peanut butter and a ziptop bag, you can do the test. We just want to make it as easy as possible for you to test and submit your ant samples.  Just test and submit any ants you find.

HOW TO TEST VIDEO

What are little fire ants, and why are they so bad?

Unless you’ve encountered the wrath of these tiny pests, you may ask “what’s the big deal?”.  Well, among all of the world’s invasive pests – the plants, animals, insects, bacteria…LFA have top-chart billing as one of the world’s worst 100 invasive species.

Little fire ants (LFA) are native to Central & South America, but have been spreading across the Pacific, damaging the envrionmnent, economy and the quality of life of those subjected to their stings. LFA sting the eyes of pets, leading to blindness.  LFA damage crops, food production, and the economy everywhere they have spread. LFA alter (or impact) people’s lives because their stings are unavoidable.

Doesn’t Hawaii already have fire ant? How are LFA different?

Many of us have been stung by the common Tropical Fire Ants, which nest in the ground in sunny fields and beach parks.  These are NOT the same as Little Fire Ants. LFA is a very tiny ant-about as long as a penny is thick and prefer shady, moist areas. They can nest in the trees and on the ground. LFA’s sting packs a wallop and when they fall out of trees, a person gets multiple stings all at once.

LFA have been detected on all main Hawaiian Islands except Molokai, and are only established on the Big Island. The Hawaii Ant Lab is based in Hilo and conducts research on invasive ant impacts, prevention and treatment methods, and eradication plans. They provide resources and information for the public and work closely with the residents of Big Island to best manage little fire ant infestations around their homes.

Early detection is key to preventing LFA from establishing.

LFA are established in areas on the Big Island and it’s highly unlikely there will be an island-wide eradication, but finding them early significantly increases chances of spreading across the island, as well as between all the islands.  When infestations become larger, costs increase dramatically and the chances of successful eradication are also much lower.

On Oahu, the residents of Mililani Mauka were crucial to the success of eliminating the infestation there. A resident brought samples to HDOA after being stung and because of this, the infestation was discovered while it was relatively small. Equally important, all the neighbors allowed staff on their property to test for and to treat the ants.

We need your help!!

LFA can spread across an island and move between islands in any materials – including fresh fruit, cut flowers, potted plants, household items and vehicles. The best way to help is to test your yard for little fire ant at least once a year. It’s quick, easy and a fun activity to do with kids. There are written instructions and a video explaining how to test at the website www.stoptheant.org.  

 

 

The second monitoring survey found no little fire ants in Mililani-Mauka

The Oahu Invasive Species Committee assisted the Hawaii Department of Agriculture along with the Hawaii Ant Lab, Oahu Army Natural Resources Program, and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council in the second monitoring survey in Mililani-Mauka. The last treatment was in May 2015, and the area is now in the monitoring phase of the eradication process.  

The survey team laid 1500 vials baited with peanut butter to attract any ants in the area. All vials came up negative for little fire ant.  These monitoring surveys will continue, and if no little fire ants (LFA) are found after three years from the last treatment, the area is deemed eradicated. 

While three years may seem like a long time, it is necessary because little fire ants are pros at hiding. Not only do they nest on the ground, they can also nest in the tallest of trees, remaining in the canopy for many months before coming down to the ground to forage. The ants often get blown or knocked out of the trees, stinging humans and animals below. This is the problem they have on Hawaii Island, where LFA have been established and spreading since 1999.

These arboreal (tree nesting) colonies is what makes eradication difficult and time consuming…but not impossible. Getting the pesticide to the ant colonies high in the trees is hard to do. The Hawaii Ant Lab has helped overcome this hurdle by developing an application method using a gel bait they shoot up into the trees.  

The sooner LFA are detected, the better. 

Little fire ants do not move very far on their own. It is through our movements of infested materials that helps them spread. You can help keep Oahu LFA free! Simply test your property at least once a year and keep in mind; small infestations are fairly easy to eradicate. While finding little fire ant populations is disheartening, finding a population whose large size makes it impossible to eradicate is DEVASTATING!

So please, test and report…STOP THE ANT!

HOW TO TEST YOUR PROPERTY AND SUBMIT YOUR SAMPLES

For more information on little fire ant, visit stoptheant.org

September is “Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant Month” in Hawaii

Governor Ige fights LFAGovernor Ige proclaimed September as “Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant Month” in Hawaii and Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell has shown support in the fight with a similar proclamation for Honolulu. In a concerted effort to stop the spread of little fire ants, legislators, state agencies and conservation organizations are urging residents to test their property this month.

There will be a host of activities on Oahu this month. Check out our events calendar and find out about the photo contest on Oahu to win prizes all month!

Early detection of little fire ants (LFA) is one of the greatest tools of successful eradication, and it’s extremely likely there are small pockets of these pests on Oahu that have yet to be discovered. It’s best to find LFA before they find you!

What are little fire ants, and why are they so bad?

Unless you’ve encountered the wrath of these tiny pests, you may ask “what’s the big deal?”.  Well, among all of the world’s invasive pests – the plants, animals, insects, bacteria…LFA have top-chart billing as one of the world’s worst 100 invasive species.

Little fire ants (LFA) are native to Central & South America, but have been spreading across the Pacific, damaging the envrionmnent, economy and the quality of life of those subjected to their stings. LFA sting the eyes of pets, leading to blindness.  LFA damage crops, food production, and the economy everywhere they have spread. LFA alter (or impact) people’s lives because their stings are unavoidable.

Doesn’t Hawaii already have fire ant? How are LFA different?

Many of us have been stung by the common Tropical Fire Ants, which nest in the ground in sunny fields and beach parks.  These are NOT the same as Little Fire Ants. LFA is a very tiny ant-about as long as a penny is thick and prefer shady, moist areas. They can nest in the trees and on the ground. LFA’s sting packs a wallop and when they fall out of trees, a person gets multiple stings all at once.

LFA have been detected on all main Hawaiian Islands except Molokai, and are only established on the Big Island. The Hawaii Ant Lab is based in Hilo and conducts research on invasive ant impacts, prevention and treatment methods, and eradication plans. They provide resources and information for the public and work closely with the residents of Big Island to best manage little fire ant infestations around their homes.

Early detection is key to preventing LFA from establishing.

LFA are established in areas on the Big Island and it’s highly unlikely there will be an island-wide eradication, but finding them early significantly increases chances of spreading across the island, as well as between all the islands.  When infestations become larger, costs increase dramatically and the chances of successful eradication are also much lower.

On Oahu, the residents of Mililani Mauka were crucial to the success of eliminating the infestation there. A resident brought samples to HDOA after being stung and because of this, the infestation was discovered while it was relatively small. Equally important, all the neighbors allowed staff on their property to test for and to treat the ants.

We need your help!!

LFA can spread across an island and move between islands in any materials – including fresh fruit, cut flowers, potted plants, household items and vehicles. The best way to help is to test your yard for little fire ant at least once a year. It’s easy and a fun activity to do with kids. There are written instructions and a video explaining how to test at the website www.stoptheant.org.  

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Contact Us

Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)
Office: (808) 266-7994
Fax: (808) 266-7995

OISC Manager: Rachel Neville
E-mail: oiscmgr@hawaii.edu
OISC Outreach Specialist: Erin Bishop
E-mail: oisc@hawaii.edu

Pest Hotline: 808-643-PEST (7378)
Report a Pest Online