Released April 8, 2008

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - What to do about fire ants, especially following recent rainfall and the onset of warm weather, will be the focus of the East Alabama Fire Ant Field Day, Friday, April 18 in Camp Hill.

The workshop, which will be conducted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lyman Ward Military Academy, located at 174 Ward Circle off Highway 50 East in Camp Hill. It will feature topics on fire ant biology, the latest 2008 fire-ant control products, and other proven research-based techniques for the controlling the pests.

The extra rainfall and warm weather have created optimal conditions for the fire ants. And the problems associated with fire ants only will get worse as people, especially children, move outdoors to enjoy the warm weather, says Shane Harris, a regional Extension agent.

Unfortunately, achieving all-out victory against the ants isn’t possible, because no control method is available that will banish them permanently from a landscape.

“Generally, fire ant mounds can be eliminated on a site at any give time,” Harris says. “The problem is that reinfestation from surrounding, unmanaged areas cannot be prevented.

“In fact, how quickly the ants return to a treated area largely depends on how well surrounding areas have been treated and managed for fire ants," he says.

That’s the bad news.

The good news is that new strategies and methods are available to help control the ants not only on home and commercial lawns but also in gardens and pastures.

Workshop demonstrations will cover treatment of athletic fields, school grounds and parks, pastures and hayfields, and home lawns and gardens.

Fire ant product exhibits and vendors will also be available. A $10 registration fee is required to attend the workshop and continuing education credits will be provided.

To register or obtain additional information, call the Tallapoosa County Extension office at (256) 825-1050 or visit us online at http://www.aces.edu/Tallapoosa.

-30-

http://www.aces.edu/department/extcomm/npa/newsline/archives/003606.php

Contact: Jim Langcuster, (334) 844-5686, langcjc@auburn.edu