A welcoming community • Embracing its rural character • Focusing on its prosperous future contactContact Us

Red Imported Fire Ants Confirmed in Prince George County

Red Imported Fire Ants Confirmed in Prince George County

For Immediate Release:
November 17, 2022

For additional information, contact:
Jackie Lipford
Public Information Officer
804.722.8607
jnlipford@princegeorgecountyva.gov

 
Red Imported Fire Ants Confirmed in Prince George County

Prince George, VA – A suspected sample of Red Imported Fire Ants (RIFA) collected on a northwest Prince George farm have been confirmed by the United States Department of Agriculture. Since that collection in October, numerous RIFA mounds have been found across Prince George County. RIFA colonies have been observed near Carson, Templeton, Prince George, and Richard Bland College. It is expected that RIFA will be found across Prince George County.

Prince George County is not included in the Virginia Imported Fire Ant Quarantine at this time. The neighboring counties of Dinwiddie and Sussex will come under quarantine in December 2022. This designation means that residents in Prince George that encounter RIFA mounds should contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) at 804-786-3515.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will work with homeowners and businesses to treat RIFA mounds. The quarantine areas have requirements for inspecting certain items before movement to non-quarantine areas. Residents in quarantine counties are also responsible for RIFA treatments on their property.

What should you do if you suspect you have found a RIFA mound? 

  1. Do not disturb the mound.
  2. Call the VDACS at 804-786-3515.
  3. Do not attempt home remedies to control RIFA colonies.

RIFA workers will defend their colony by swarming whatever disturbed the mound. This could result in numerous painful stings from ants. The stings induce a brief, intense burning sensation and may form pustules. The stings are not deadly but individuals sensitive to bee or other insect stings should be especially careful as stings could produce severe reactions. Keep children and pets away from suspected mounds until treatments can be made.

After calling the VDCA, a pest management representative will be assigned to contact you about treating the RIFA colonies. You can also report RIFA mounds to Scott Reiter, Virginia Cooperative Extension Prince George office, at 804-733-2686.

Home remedies and improper treatment can actually make the problem worse by causing the colony to disperse and create several new colonies. Mound treatment with approved insecticide baits is the most effective way to control RIFA. 

For more information, see the following Virginia Cooperative Extension publications: 

https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/444/444-284/444-284.html

https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/pubs_ext_vt_edu/ENTO/ento-481/ENTO-481.pdf

Both publications are also available at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Prince George office located at Scott Memorial Park.