The fire ants populations have come back this season with a vengeance. I have been battling these insects for the three years I have been hear and they were getting to be much less of a problem. This summer that changed, we work with the Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (CVMVCD) to battle these critters. These people come out 4 times per year and treat the golf course to help keep the populations in check. I will also do spot treatments as we see them during the times in between the quarterly applications.
The RIFA are a species of ant that possess aggressive behavior and produce a painful sting. These ants found their way into the Coachella Valley from the southeast US where they have caused major damage to agriculture, horticulture and recreational industries. The CVMVCD is committed to stopping the infestation of the Coachella Valley from this pest and preventing the mitigation of the species to other parts of California. RIFA are known as imported because theory has it they came to this country from South America by boat in the 1930's. Today, the RIFA infest more than 300 million acres in 12 states with the newest infested states being New Mexico and California.
The RIFA are very small and reddish-brown in color, they have distinct characteristics and are difficult to identify with just the naked eye. RIFA live underground and can be distinguished by the mounds they build which are piles of soil, peppered with small holes. The RIFA are attracted to moisture and electrical currents and can be found in sprinkler valve boxes and controllers. At DIGCC we see them most often in the bunkers, irrigation controllers and around trees. If you see these mounds on the course we want you to stick a red flag near the mound and we will treat the area. The RIFA attack when there mounds are disturbed, this happens when a person or pet steps on their mounds. The ants are attracted by movement and can attack due to their aggressive nature.
If you are stung; wash the area with soap and water, elevate the area and apply ice to control swelling, apply topical ointment and take antihistamine to relieve itching, if swelling worsens seek medical attention.
Our RIFA management program is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach, and consists of quarterly applications of a bait-formulated insecticide, direct mound treatments and growth regulator baits which prevent the ants from becoming adults. The other approach is a cultural method, mowing frequency and mowing height. The greens, tees and fairways are mowed daily at short heights to encourage the ants to move to areas where the mounds are less frequently disturbed i.e. roughs and perimeter plantings.
