Successful Eradication of Little Fire Ants

Date: May 18, 2016
Contact: Mike Gawel, 671-477-7278 Ext 1010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Release Date: May 19, 2016
Contact: Mike Gawel

Phone: [phone] Ext 1010

Successful eradication of Little Fire Ants at War in the Pacific National Park Asan Beach Unit

Asan, Guam – Originally from South America, Little Fire Ants (LFA) are considered among the world's worst invasive species. LFA are stinging ants that have recently been found widely throughout Guam since 2011, usually spread by people unknowingly moving vegetation that carries the hard to see little predators.Although small, LFA can produce painful stings and large welts and may cause blindness in pets while also killing native animals.They can build up very large colonies on the ground, in trees and other vegetation, and in buildings and homes and completely overrun a property. Since 2015, a small infestation was detected at War in the Pacific National Historical Park at Asan Beach.

In a cooperative partnership with Guam's Department of Agriculture, Guam EPA, and the University of Guam, the National Park Service has successfully applied controls and verified techniques adapted for use on Guam from those developed in the Hawaiian Islands for controlling/eradicating LFA. During the last year, the site located at the entrance of Asan Beach Park was fenced off preventing visitor access as biologists and technicians made repeated treatment applications of approved pesticides.The pilot eradication project for the LFA has shown great success.After completion of eight planned treatments in the infestation zones, spot surveys have not detected LFA. LFA are eliminated, and the area has been reopened to public access.However, the site will continue to be monitored for one year.

All Guam's public should be cautious when moving any vegetation or soil, which may spread the barely visible Little Fire Ants.

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