Taking the Fire out of Fire Ants

Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:20:48 -0400
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Taking the Fire out of Fire Ants

Taking the Fire out of Fire Ants

Cooperative Extension in Chatham County will offer a program on fire ant management on Thursday April 29.  The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Agriculture Building in downtown Pittsboro.  Participants are required to call 919.542.8202, to pre-register for limited seating.  A five dollar charge for the program will include a disc of materials

covered and light refreshments.

Extension Agents Al Cooke and Sam Groce will conduct the program.  Calls have been coming in from “all over the county” about how to control fire ants..  Many available products can be used to manage fire ants, but how those products are used is more important than product selection.

We will not promise that you can eliminate fire ants.  Our presentation will focus on understanding the life within a fire ant mound and using the ants’ habits to our advantage.  We will present strategies, including organic options, recognized as effective for dealing with fire ant mounds along with their advantages and disadvantages.  Spring is

an excellent time for treating fire ant mounds while ants are actively foraging.

As a livestock Agent, Sam Groce points out that there are very few products that can be used in pastures or forage crops.  This is both a safety issue and a legal issue.  It is a violation of Federal law to use pesticides in a location not specified on the label.

Two hours Pesticide Recertification credit has been approved for categories G, H, I, K, L, N, O, D, X.   The program is appropriate for both professionals and non-professionals.  Seating will be limited for the program.  Participants are required to call 919.542.8202 to pre-register as long as seating is available.

North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University commit themselves to positive action to secure equal opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran’s status. In addition, the two Universities welcome all persons without regard to sexual orientation.  North Carolina

State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.

Persons with disabilities and persons with limited English proficiency may request accommodations to participate by contacting Carolyn Langley, Interim County Extension Director at 919.542.8202 or <