Behavioral and control studies of the Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), in South Carolina

A four year study was conducted using Red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) (RIFA) baits applied as broadcast treatments on large area plots. During the study, six treatments were made. Initial data was taken at one year. Thereafter, data was collected every six months until study completion. Results showed that RIFA control was difficult with a minimum number of treatments. For the final two years Amdro{dollar}spcircler{dollar} gave excellent suppression.; Observations were made in and around turkey houses during the summer of 1990. RIFA foraging in the turkey houses was a problem for employees who handled the poults. A control strategy was designed using products labeled for poultry. Individual mound drenches were used to rapidly decrease RIFA populations. All products tested gave better than 95% control at one month. After two months Amdro{dollar}spcircler{dollar} was applied to control residual colonies or immigrated colonies. By spring 1991, a significant reduction in RIFA colonies was observed around treated houses.; The effectiveness RIFA bait formulations was compared using individual mound treatments applied with and without mound disturbance at the time of application with reduced rates. There was no statistical difference between disturbed and undisturbed mounds.; A study was initiated in 1989 to determine how RIFA utilizes a centrally located food source. Semipermanent bait stations were established using non-toxic oil soluble dyed baits. RIFA mounds were mapped using a plane table. Mounds in each plot were checked at two-week intervals for the presence of dye. Results at four months showed that a single colony dominated each station. Based on this, fenoxycarb was incorporated into vegetable oil, dispensed at stations and evaluated. There was no significant difference in the number of mounds between control and experimental plots. During 1991, Amdro{dollar}spcircler{dollar} was used in stations, and significantly fewer mounds were observed at plots containing Amdro{dollar}spcircler{dollar} versus untreated plots.; A grid system was designed during the summer of 1991 to assess how much bait RIFA gathers four hours following a broadcast application. RIFA gathered approximately 24% of bait offered at 1200 hrs and over 50% of bait offered at 800 hrs and 1900 hrs.