• Introduction
• The Problem

• Costs of the Problem
• Costs of Control
• Regulatory Considerations
• Biological Control Considerations

• Developing a Management Plan
• Bait Basics
• Individual Mound Treatments
• More Information
• Disclaimer
• Contributors
• Print this Lesson

In 2003, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimated that the annual cost of problems caused by imported fire ants in agriculture was $750 million, with $38 million in losses to livestock. Losses occur mainly where ants interfere with activities of man and where ants and vulnerable animals are found together.

Types of losses due to fire ants in cattle operations. (Based on a drawing by Charles Barr,Texas A&M University)

In some small operations, such as those where profit is not the goal or where the ants' impact is not a major economic concern, the decision to control ants can be subjective. The cost of eliminating ants from an entire operation may not be justified by the economic losses caused by fire ants, particularly in large production farms and ranches. In these cases, the better option is to identify and treat only those areas where control costs are justified.

By analyzing where imported fire ants are causing problems, managers can determine where economic losses occur. The probability of serious incidents, such as livestock injury or death or equipment damage, is low and may rarely or never occur. Losses associated with these events, therefore, need to be adjusted to an annual estimate of cost. Losses that are potentially or historically serious or costly are often fairly specific to certain farming and ranching locations or operations.