There are several reasons we cannot eliminate imported fire ants. Imported fire ants can be eliminated in small areas for a period of time, but because they are able to spread quickly and rather easily, they cannot be eliminated forever. Imported fire ants spread naturally through colony relocation and mating flights. When female reproductives fly into the air to mate, they may drop to the ground miles from where they originally emerged. They can also move into new areas via transported soil and other materials that contain mated queens or entire colonies. Imported fire ant colonies also travel on top of flood water. Eradication was attempted in the late 1950s when the total infested area was about 63 million acres. Concerns about the effect of the insecticides on non-target species eventually stopped the program. Currently, more than 330 million acres are infested with fire ants. There are no fire ant insecticides that are 100% effective over such a large area. Even if such insecticides were available, the cost would be prohibitive. See also FAQ #837, "Can imported fire ants be eradicated?"

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