| Red imported fire ant regulations |
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| Introduction |
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The red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, and the closely related black imported fire ant (BIFA), S. richteri and its hybrids, are serious pests of agriculture, humans and the environment. RIFA is known to affect nursery and agriculture crops, landscapes, and sensitive habitat. It also is a serious health threat to humans, pets, livestock and wildlife. Its’ sting is known to be quite painful able to cause severe allergic reactions, rash, shallow and restricted breathing, anaphylaxis, and in rare cases, death. The BIFA was introduced with cargo from South America into Mobile, Alabama in 1918. Commerce continues to spread IFA throughout the United States, in trucks, trains, or other vehicles. RIFA-infested cargos have included soil, sod, building materials, cotton seed, nursery stock, roof tiles, paint, and honeybee hives. Cars and recreational vehicles have also been found harboring RIFA. RIFA is now well established in 13 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as Puerto Rico. Recently, RIFA’s range has extended to portions of southern California.
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| Regulations |
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It has been suggested that RIFA could become established in western Oregon and as far north as Washington. The Willamette valley represents suitable habitat. For the purpose of exclusion, RIFA is a quarantined pest in all, or portions of the following states: (county listing in USDA federal regulation Title 7, Chapter III, Part 301) Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, as well as Puerto Rico. Any plant or soil from these areas that is shipped to Oregon must be accompanied by a certificate of quarantine compliance (CQC) from the shipping state. Additionally, notice must be provided to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) prior to arrival of this material.
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| Additional information |
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ODA offers additional information for the following imported fire ant topics:
ODA imported fire ant profile
ODA imported fire ant survey
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