David Y. Igé | DOA press release: OCTOBER IS STOPPING THE MONTH OF ANTS

HONOLULU – October is ‘Stop the Ant Month’ in Hawai`i and a multi-agency effort will be underway throughout the month to increase awareness of the importance of early detection to prevent and control the spread of little ant invasive fire (LFA).

The Hawai’i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Hawai’i Ant Lab (HAL) and partner agencies, including the Hawai’i Invasive Species Council, Invasive Species Committees, and the Pest Species Coordination Group Exotics will ask residents on O `ahu, Kaua`i, and Maui County to study their properties for LFA by using a little peanut butter on a chopstick and leaving them in multiple areas for about an hour. Residents can request a free ant collection kit through the website: http://stoptheant.org/. The website also contains maps of areas where deprived areas have been detected in Hawai`i.

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources has produced a three-minute video, “How to Test for LFA,” which shows the step-by-step procedure to test for LFA. The video is available on the Stop the Ant website and at: https://vimeo.com/97558997

All ants collected should be placed in a sealable plastic bag, placed in the freezer for at least 24 hours, and dropped off or mailed to your island’s Invasive Species Committee office.

• O’ahu Invasive Species Committee 808.266.7994, 743 Ulukahiki Street, Kailua, HI 96734
• Maui / Lanai Invasive Species Committee, 808.573.6472, P.O. Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768
• Kaua’i Invasive Species Committee, 808.821.1490, 7370K Kuamoo Road, Kapaa, HI 96746
• Molokai / Maui Invasive Species Committee, 808.553.4236, PO Box 220, Kualapuu, HI 96757

“Treatment plans developed by the Hawai`i Ant Lab and departmental entomologists have been very successful in eradicating new infestations, ”said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chair of the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture. “However, early detection is essential and we need everyone’s help to be our ant investigators.”

LFA was first detected in the island state of Hawaii in 1999. However, at the time it was detected, ants were widespread on the island and no treatment protocol existed. for eradication. Efforts on the island of Hawaii are currently focused on managing the infestations. The HAL was then created to research the best and most effective methods of eradicating and controlling LFA.

Native to South America, the LFA is considered one of the worst invasive species in the world. LFAs are tiny ants, measuring 1/16 in size^e inch long and pale orange in color. The LFA moves slowly, unlike the tropical fire ant, which is established in Hawaii, can move quickly and is much larger with a larger head compared to its body. LFA can produce painful bites and large red welts and can cause blindness in pets. They can form very large colonies on the ground, in trees and other plants, and inside buildings and houses and completely invade a property.

For more information on the Stop the Ant campaign and how to request an Ant Collection Kit, visit: http://stoptheant.org/

For more information on LFA in Hawai`i, visit the HAL website at: http://www.littlefireants.com/

Any suspected invasive species should be reported to the state’s free PEST DIRECT LINE – 643-PEST (7378).