Emergency Response Plan for Invasive Ant Incursions

Table of Contents

Definitions.................................................................................................................................vi

Outline ...................................................................................................................................... 1

Pre-incursion planning.............................................................................................................. 1

Initial detection and response ................................................................................................... 1

The Emergency Response Management Committee ........................................................... 2

Roles and responsibilities...................................................................................................... 5

The Specialist

Collecting specimens...................................................................................................... 7

Secure the scene/containment ....................................................................................... 7

Gather information .......................................................................................................... 7

The Technical Advisor

Delimiting survey ...................................................................................................................... 9

Draft management plan .......................................................................................................... 11

Surveillance......................................................................................................................... 11

Treatment ............................................................................................................................ 12

Communications.................................................................................................................. 12

Movement controls .............................................................................................................. 13

Budget ................................................................................................................................. 13

Research priorities .............................................................................................................. 13

Organisational structure.......................................................................................................... 13

The Chief Quarantine Officer : ............................................................................................ 14

The Operations Manager .................................................................................................... 14

The Field Controller:............................................................................................................ 15

The Financial Controller: ..................................................................................................... 15

The Technical Adviser:........................................................................................................ 16

The surveillance and treatment teams: ............................................................................... 16

Area Freedom/Pest Freedom ................................................................................................. 16

Additional useful links ............................................................................................................. 17

APPENDIX 1. COLLECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF ANT SPECIMENS ........................ 18

iii

Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 18

Scope ..................................................................................................................................... 18

Work instructions .................................................................................................................... 18

Collection procedures.......................................................................................................... 18

Ant identification .................................................................................................................. 20

Preparing specimens for dispatch to overseas taxonomists ............................................... 21

APPENDIX 2. STANDARDISED SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING METHODS FOR
EXOTIC ANTS........................................................................................................................... 22

Purpose .................................................................................................................................. 22

Scope ..................................................................................................................................... 22

Work instructions .................................................................................................................... 22

Overview ............................................................................................................................. 22

Equipment and supplies needed ......................................................................................... 22

Planning the survey............................................................................................................. 23

Bait preparation ................................................................................................................... 24

Conducting the survey......................................................................................................... 24

Keeping records .................................................................................................................. 25

Alternative documentation system ...................................................................................... 25

APPENDIX 3. GUIDELINES FOR PREPARATION OF THE MANAGEMENT PLAN............. 30

Budget .................................................................................................................................... 31

APPENDIX 4. SUPPLIER DETAILS FOR CHEMICALS SUITABLE FOR EXOTIC ANT
CONTROL ................................................................................................................................. 32

Suppliers of pest control chemicals ........................................................................................ 32

New Zealand ....................................................................................................................... 32

Australia .............................................................................................................................. 32

APPENDIX 5. TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR ANT CONTROL ............................................... 33

Overview................................................................................................................................. 33

Chemicals ............................................................................................................................... 33

Hydramethylnon .................................................................................................................. 33

Fipronil................................................................................................................................. 33

Indoxacarb........................................................................................................................... 34

Insect Growth Regulators.................................................................................................... 34

Treatment programme ............................................................................................................ 34

Application methods ............................................................................................................ 34

Red Imported Fire Ants

Little Fire Ants

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: CONTAINMENT OF LITTLE FIRE ANTS............ 36

Purpose and scope................................................................................................................. 36

Background............................................................................................................................. 36

Materials ................................................................................................................................. 36

Method.................................................................................................................................... 36

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: DISTRIBUTION OF ANT BAIT GRANULES....... 38

Purpose and scope................................................................................................................. 38

Background............................................................................................................................. 38

Materials ................................................................................................................................. 38

Method.................................................................................................................................... 38

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: TREATMENT WITH XSTINGUISH BAIT FOR
LITTLE FIRE ANTS................................................................................................................... 40

Purpose and scope................................................................................................................. 40

Background............................................................................................................................. 40

Materials ................................................................................................................................. 40

Method.................................................................................................................................... 40

Trees ................................................................................................................................... 41

Bananas .............................................................................................................................. 41

Shrubs and small trees........................................................................................................ 41

Buildings and structures ...................................................................................................... 41

List of Figures

Figure 1. Generic response to a suspected exotic ant incursion ................................................ 3

Figure 2. Decision flowchart used by ERMC to decide appropriate course of action ................. 4

Figure 5.1. Image of a ?Scott? bait spreader . ........................................................................... 37

Figure 5.2. Using Scott bait spreader. ...................................................................................... 37

Figure 5.3. recommended method for distribution of ant bait granules..................................... 39

Definitions

Area

An officially defined country, part of a country or all or parts of

several countries

Containment

The application of phytosanitary measures in and around an

infested area to prevent the spread of an ant.

Delimiting survey

Survey conducted to establish the boundaries of an area. In this

case to establish the boundaries of an area infested by the ant.

Endangered area

An area where an ant can become established and cause an

important loss.

Entry (of an ant)

Movement of an ant into an area where it is not yet present, or

present but not widely distributed and being officially controlled

Eradication

Application of phytosanitary measures to eliminate an ant from an

area. (see IPSM 5)

ERMC

Emergency Response Management Committee

ERP Emergency

Response

Plan

Establishment

An ant will remain for the foreseeable future within an area after

entry.

monitoring

A survey designed with the purpose of determining the effect of
treatment on the ant population

NGO

Non government organisation

Occurrence

The presence in an area of an ant officially reported to be

indigenous or introduced and/or not officially reported to have been

eradicated.

Outbreak

An isolated ant population recently detected and expected to

survive for the immediate future.

Pacific Island Countries
and Territories (PICTs)

The Pacific island nations and Territories that are member

countries of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

Pest free area

An area in which a specific ant does not occur as demonstrated

by scientific evidence and in which, where appropriate, this

condition is being officially maintained.

Phytosanitary measure

Any legislation, regulation or official procedure having the

vii

purpose to prevent the introduction and/or spread of ants.

PICT

The Pacific island nations and Territories that are member

countries of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

PPS

(National) Plant Protection Service

Regulated article

Any plant, plant product, storage place, packaging, conveyance,
container, soil and any other organism, object or material
capable of harbouring or spreading ants, deemed to require
phytosanitary measures, particularly where international
transportation is involved.

Risk items

Any item or commodity capable of being a vector for the spread
or movement of exotic ant species including Red Imported Fire
Ant or Little Fire Ant

SPC

Secretariat of the Pacific Community

Spread

Expansion of the geographical distribution of an ant within an
area.

Suppression

The application of phytosanitary measures in an infested area to

reduce ant populations and thereby limit spread.

Surveillance

An official process which collects and records data on ant
occurrence or absence by survey, monitoring or other
procedures.

Survey

An official procedure conducted over a defined period of time to
determine the characteristics of an ant population or to determine
which species occur in an area.

Treatment

Officially authorised procedure for the killing, removal or
rendering infertile of ants.

Outline

This manual contains a detailed emergency response plan (ERP) for ant incursions that can be
used by Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) as a basis for ant-specific ERPs. The
plan was developed at a workshop conducted by SPC in Suva, Fiji between 6

and 8

October

2008 and draws heavily on an existing generic emergency response plan developed by Dr
Geunther Rapp in 2001 for the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.

The document is in several sections. This section outlines a generic management structure
including the functions and responsibilities of key players. Since every PICT has a different
administrative structure, this section needs to be adapted to suit each PICT's unique
circumstances.

Additional sections include:

Standard operating procedures

A resource section

Contact details for taxonomists, chemicals and equipment that may be necessary

Both countries and SPC need to up-date this document or relevant sections and any other
related plan as required. The document should also be reviewed during and after an incursion.
In its function as Secretariat to the Pacific Plant Protection Organisation, SPC also has the duty
to inform other countries about incursions in the form of Pest Alerts.

Pre-incursion planning

Each PICT should ensure that any exotic ants not already present in the country or jurisdiction
have been, or can easily be, declared under relevant legislation so that action can be taken
should an incursion be reported. This should apply especially to Red Imported Fire Ants
(Solenopsis invicta) and Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) both of which are known to
be extremely destructive.

Additionally, it is important that a mechanism exists to allow the fast allocation of emergency
funds from other budgets. This should be part of a wider preparedness for incursions of exotic
pests and diseases.

Initial detection and response

When a suspected exotic ant incursion is reported, the generic response to this detection is
outlined in Figure 1. During this part of the response, the Chief Quarantine Officer seeks to
confirm the identity of the ant and obtain an initial report of the extent of the infestation. With
this information, the Chief Quarantine officer will decide whether to involve the Emergency
Response Management Committee (ERMC). This committee is usually a standing committee
that co-ordinates all emergency responses for the country.

Before the ERMC meets to discuss the incursion the Chief Quarantine Officer should begin a
delimiting survey and impose movement controls for risk items leaving the infested area. These
risk items include, pot plants, soil and aggregates, items that have been in contact with the

ground, produce, hay, mulch and building supplies, earthmoving equipment and other vehicles.
The risk items list may need to be revised depending the ant species that has been detected
and/or other site-related factors such as industries or activities being conducted in the infested
area.

The Emergency Response Management Committee
The ERMC is a standing committee that deals with all emergencies for that country including
natural disasters etc. The committee advises and informs government, makes resources
available for response activities and makes decisions on how to proceed. A flowchart showing
options that the ERMC will consider is shown in Figure 2. The ERMC is usually made up of the
following people:

Chairperson

Head of Quarantine (Deputy Chairperson)

Director, National Disaster Programme

Director,

Research

Director,

Environment

Director,

Extension

Chief Quarantine Officer

Representative of affected province or island

Representative of private sector and/or government body dealing with the affected

commodity

Ant Specialist

Any other representative (s) of one or several body(ies) that needs to be involved

Figure 1. Generic response to a suspected exotic ant incursion

Detection in the field is

reported by a Field Officer

Chief Quarantine Officer

receives report,

assigns appropriate Specialist.

Specialist goes to site of detection for

preliminary survey, diagnosis of

problem, collection of samples.

Specialist identifies and sends

samples for expert (national and

overseas) confirmation.

Chief Quarantine Officer ) takes

appropriate action and if

necessary informs Chairperson

of ERMC.

Action

: initial response on

authority of Chief Quarantine

Officer and Chairperson of ERMC.

Specialist reports back to Chief

Quarantine Officer

Delimiting survey: Chief

Quarantine Officer appoints

Technical Adviser to conduct

survey and report to the ERMC.

ERMC decides on

appropriate response

action after considering

technical advisor?s report.

No Action

? no emergency

response action required.

Roles and responsibilities
A brief outline of the functions and responsibilities of persons involved in the emergency
response is listed in the table below.

Table 1. Roles and responsibilities of persons involved in the emergency response

POSITION

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Chairperson, ERMC.

Puts the Emergency Response Plan into action;

Overall management of the programme.

Emergency Response

Management Committee

(ERMC).

Discusses recommendations from the Technical

Adviser (TA) after delimiting survey and decides on
further action;

Appoints Operations Manager and Field Controller;

Quorum (5): Chairperson or Deputy, Chief

Quarantine Officer , representative of affected
province or island, representative of private sector
and/or government body dealing with the affected
commodity, TA.

Head of Quarantine

(Deputy Chairperson).

Acts in the absence of the Chairperson;

Commits the resources of the Quarantine

Department to the problem.

Director, National Disaster
Programme.

Commits the resources of the organisation to the problem.

Chief Quarantine Officer .

Alerts Chairperson to a suspected ant incursion;

Reports to ERMC during operational phase;

Supervises the Director of operations;

Ensures that all management plans conform to

relevant legislation;

Notifies SPC of suspected new ant.

Specialist:

appointed by and reporting to

Chief Quarantine Officer .

Collects samples and organises identification of

samples;

Collects

information.

POSITION

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Operations Manager:

appointed by ERMC;

located in the area where the

new ant is present;

should be in a position of local

authority and possess
management skills and
administrative experience.

Reports to Chief Quarantine Officer ;

Manages day-to-day finances;

Oversees field operations;

Checks resource requirements;

Liaises with provincial authorities;

Selects and appoints the response team(s);

Briefs and trains response team(s) and Field

Controller together with Technical Adviser.

Technical Adviser:

appointed by Chairperson;

reports to nobody to make sure

that advice remains objective;

located as required;

has to be a recognised expert

on the particular ant causing the
incursion.

Conducts delimiting survey;

Submits report including response options,

recommendations and tentative budgets to ERMC;

Briefs and trains response team(s) and Field

Controller together with Operations Manager;

Provides technical advice to Chairperson, Chief

Quarantine Officer , ERMC, Operations Manager,
Field Controller, operational teams;

Periodically

monitors

operations.

Financial Controller:

nominated by Head of
Quarantine;

reports to Operations Manager.

Responsible for administration and finance.

Field Controller:

appointed by ERMC;

located on site full time;

reports to Operations Manager;

should possess agricultural

background and management
skills.

Logistics;

Day-to-day control of field operations;

Liaises with district staff and stakeholders.

Field Teams:

appointed by Operations Manager;
report to Field Controller.

Field activities such as surveys.

The Specialist

The Specialist is usually the first person to investigate the possible incursion after it is
reported. It is the role of the specialist to collect specimens for identification, dispatch them
to a recognised expert and gather information on the incursion and the ant species detected
for the Chief Quarantine Officer.

Each country will have its own unique laws and regulations and the official powers of the
Specialist will therefore be different for each country. Before leaving to investigate the
suspect incursion, the Specialist should seek confirmation of the powers available to him or
her, specifically when it pertains to site entry, quarantine directions and preventing the
movement of risk items. The Specialist should also ensure he or she is able to take
specimens away from the site to a new location.

Collecting specimens
The first step in managing a possible exotic ant incursion is to know exactly which species
has been detected. This means obtaining specimens and having them identified by a local or
regional taxonomist and confirmed by a reliable institution. A guide to collecting ant
specimens and a contact list of external taxonomists is attached in Appendix 1.

Secure the scene/containment
Invasive ants can spread quickly from one site to another by human-mediated means.
Colonies or colony fragments can be concealed in produce and other risk items which are
transported by people to a new location. Preventing further spread at this stage of an
incursion is very important. If it can be established that only a small area is infested,
preventing public access to the entire site is a very good solution. If the infested site is
larger, the Specialist should ensure that people living within the infested area do not move
risk items to other locations. Risk items should include the following:

Soil, gravel, aggregates or other landscaping material,

Any item that has been in contact with soil for more than 24 hours

Pot plants, Mulch, hay, firewood, thatching and other building materials

Earthmoving machinery

The risk items list may need to be revised depending the ant species that has been detected
and/or other site-related factors such as industries or activities being conducted in the
infested area.

Ant colonies will also disperse if the colony is disturbed. The Specialist should ensure that
people living in or near the infested area do not poke, disturb, interfere or attempt to treat the
suspect ants.

Gather information
After returning from the initial investigation, the Specialist should prepare a short situation
report for the Chief Quarantine Officer which should include the following information as a
minimum:

the result of the identification,

picture(s) of ant and its damage,

date and details of first report,

size of the infested area,

affected crop(s),

if possible, an indication as to how the ant may have reached the area,

if possible, an indication as to its origin,

Additionally, the Specialist should compile available information (reports, journal articles, etc)
about the ant species including:

potential impacts in terms of:

economic impacts,

social (including human health) impacts,

cultural

impacts;

environmental impacts and biodiversity.

expected cost of export treatments,

known control measures

The resource section of this manual contains electronic copies of key reports, journal
articles, recommended control and survey methods as well as images of the ant and
examples of damage. The Specialist should also search the internet and contact overseas
experts for additional information. The Global Invasive Species Database
(

www.issg.org/gisd

) is a useful resource for up-to-date information. Much of this can be

completed while waiting for confirmation of the species identity.

Once the ant species identity has been verified, a decision needs to be made on how to
progress. The final decision on further action lies with the ERMC. If the ant is likely to cause
unacceptable impacts, the Chairperson appoints a Technical Adviser to conduct a delimiting
survey and mobilises the necessary funds. (please note that the Specialist could fulfil this
function if sufficiently qualified).

The Chief Quarantine Officer establishes quarantine restrictions as required, and in close
collaboration with the ERMC should brief government on the incursion. Once government
has been briefed, the ERMC should notify the public (through the media) of the occurrence
of the new invasive ant species and what to look for and how, who and where to report to.
The ERMC should also appoint a communication specialist to develop a communication
strategy.

The Technical Advisor

The Chief Quarantine Officer, in consultation with the ERMC, may proceed with an
emergency response or decide to take no further action. If proceeding with a response, a
Technical Advisor will be appointed by the Chief Quarantine officer. The Technical Advisor?s
role is to delimit the infestation, advise the Chief Quarantine Officer on trace-forward and
trace-back activities, and prepare a draft management plan. The Technical Advisor does not
recommend a course of action as this decision is made by the ERMC. Rather he or she
advises on the technical merits of proposed courses of action.

Delimiting survey

The immediate task of the Technical Advisor is to plan and implement a delimiting survey.
Standardised surveillance methods have been developed and can be found in Appendix 2.
The delimiting survey is carried out by a survey team composed of the Technical Adviser,
the Specialist, available field officers from agencies with responsibility for incursions, local
NGOs, a capable extension officer who knows the affected area and the Field Officer who
reported the incident in the first place. The size of the survey teams will depend on the
expected area to be surveyed. Additionally, one or more staff from the appropriate
quarantine agency should be on hand specifically to co-ordinate and implement trace-
forward and trace-back activities. The communication specialist should be involved in the
delimiting survey and oversee media and public communication.

The objectives of the delimiting survey are:

Establish the borders of the area that is infested with the ant,

Gather information for deciding what actions should follow.

To advise quarantine staff on trace-forward and trace-back activities in order to

determine if there are more infested areas, and

To determine resources needed

The Technical Adviser ensures that all items required for the survey are available, such

as:

emergency response plan, including current quarantine law;

a map of the area (unless already provided by local extension service);

notebooks, pens, pencils, markers;

digital camera, GPS units with enough batteries;

field

record

sheets

sufficient baits (See Appendix 2) and bait vials

equipment: brush, pocket knife, spade, hand lens, specimen bottles, plastic bags in

various sizes, 70% alcohol solution, torch, gloves;

first

aid

kit;

The survey starts from the area where the incursion was reported. Actions included are to:

identify the land or property owners or residents and inform them and discuss actions

to take and seek their cooperation;

establish exactly how and when the ant reached the area;

monitor the speed of the ant?s dispersal;

map boundaries and estimate size of both the infested area and of the endangered

area to which where the ant could spread;

identify soil, aggregates, machinery, plants, plant products, or other articles whose

movement out of the infested area would need to be regulated in the containment of
the ant;

identify the owners of these materials, machinery, plant products, or other articles;

assess the possibility of stopping the ant from spreading further;

identify how and where infested plants and/or products could be treated or disposed

of;

take pictures of ant, symptoms, affected plants and areas;

through the communications specialist, inform local authorities, extension officers

and producers of host crops about the ant;

recommend local staff who would need to be part of further actions.

assess the feasibility, costs and possible problems of containing, eradicating and

managing the ant;

As soon as practical, and in consultation with the other team members, the Technical
Adviser completes a survey report with the addresses of all stakeholders as an annex and
distributes (through the Chief Quarantine Officer) it to both the survey team and the ERMC
members. The survey report should include: names of areas surveyed, area affected (extent
of infestation), description of land use type, accessibility, include maps, photographs, density
of infestations, confirmed ant species present, land ownership, tenure.

The survey report also includes response options, recommendations and tentative budgets.
The Report should not recommend a particular course of action but outline options available.
The ERMC should make a decision on what options to take.

The ERMC will, based on the Report decide the response actions:

1. If the ant cannot be eradicated in the infested area: containment within the infested area

and surveillance in endangered areas;

2. If the ant could be eradicated in the infested area: containment in the infested area and

surveillance in endangered areas, followed by eradication in the infested area if the first
step was successful.

Draft management plan

The Technical Adviser will develop a draft management plan and budget for the response
decided by the ERMC. The Chairperson convenes a meeting of the ERMC to discuss the
Technical Adviser?s report within a week of report submission when the committee decides
on a course of action. After approval by ERMC, the Technical Adviser finalises the
management plan and budget for approval by the Chairperson and, in consultation with the
Financial Controller, Chief Quarantine Officer, Nominee for surveillance and Operations
Manager (in case of eradication).

The management plan should include the following components:

A surveillance plan,

A plan for treatment and eradication including anticipated timeframe to eradication (if

needed),

A communications strategy,

Specifications for movement controls of risk items out of the infested area.

The methods to be used for monitoring progress and declaration of area freedom

budget,

Recommendations for operational research (if needed); and

An organisational plan

Surveillance
The Surveillance Plan should include the following

specification of plants, plant products, and other risk items that could be hosts or

carry the ant,

list of surveillance sites selected on the advice of the Technical Adviser,

measures that achieve co-operation from owners of possibly infested plants, plant products
or other articles in the infested area, growers? associations, traders, local extension officers
and authorities,

instructions on how to:

- survey an area using attractive baits

- record

data,

state who would do the actual surveillance,

list of required surveillance equipment (preferably locally available),

state that suspected specimens have to be collected and preserved as in Appendix 1

for identification by a local specialist,

define further action if suspicious specimens are found,

establish a surveillance schedule,

a list of local traders (i.e. those dealing with risk items) who may observe the

presence of ants in commodities being exported or processed; and

starting date for monthly reviews of the operation.

The surveillance plan should have the file on the ant and the relevant part of any legal
provisions attached.

Treatment
The treatment plan should contain the following:

definition of the infested area: which plants, plant products, or other articles need to

be treated, destroyed or disinfested,

measures that achieve co-operation from owners of possibly infested plants, plant

products or other articles in the infested area, growers associations, traders, local
extension officers and authorities,

list of required equipment (preferably locally available). Stockpiles of anticides for

treatments that can be used and replaced may be available with SPC or other
organisations. Consideration should be given at an early stage to the registration of
any anticides that are not already registered,

contain instructions on how to treat, disinfest or destroy risk items,

maintenance and processing of work sheets and assignment of responsibility for this

task because trading partners will request information to support claims of area
freedom;

action if suspicious specimen are found,

specify under what conditions restitution needs to be paid to affected farmers when

plants or risk items need to be destroyed. Also specify how much restitution is to be
paid in accordance with current regulations,

establish work schedules,

indicate how long the exercise should go on, which will depend on the size of the

infested area and the life cycle of the ant,

specify the period of time without finds of the ant that has to elapse before the ant

can be declared eradicated. Usually this is two years,

Establishment of an operational control centre or use an already established facility;

and

starting date for monthly reviews of the operation.

The eradication plan has the file on the ant and the relevant part of the legal provisions

attached.

Communications
A communications strategy will need to be developed by a communications specialist and
should address the following issues:

Lines of communication through the control centre and to heads of department,

ministers etc including the order that key people are informed of developments

Reporting to appropriate agencies

A plan to engage the community living on or near infested land taking special note to

address access issues, identify any village disputes that may impact on operations
and encourage co-operation

Dissemination of movement controls as they apply to risk items

Engaging with affected industries

A public awareness programme for the rest of the country

Movement controls
The movement control plan should specify which items can or can not be moved from the
infested area(s) as well as prescribed approved treatment for disinfestations where this is
possible. The costs of disinfestations and responsibility for meeting these costs also needs
to be established.

Budget
Points to consider in the budget are, broadly speaking, expenses for human resources,
transport, material and awareness measures or, in more detail:

Human resources

salaries and wages, overtime payments, lunch allowances,

costs of accommodation and per diems

Transport

Air or boat fares, hire of transport, fuel, spare parts

Material

Inspection equipment, treatment equipment, first aid kit, identification

badges, stationery

Public Awareness

Radio programme, leaflets - design costs, number of leaflets

Restitution

Appropriate restitution for destruction of risk items and possible loss of

trade.

Research priorities
The plan should address any gaps in knowledge that might impact on the success of
surveillance or eradication. It is possible each country will have unique issues that may
need to be dealt with. Where knowledge gaps, or the need for more research or trial work
exists, these should be identified in the plan.

Organisational structure.

The control centre should report to the Chief Quarantine Officer. The complexity of the
organisational structure should be consistent with the size of the response

The duties and responsibilities of key staff are as follows:

The Chief Quarantine Officer :

provides weekly reports to the ERMC and answers queries;

supplies the Containment Team with proof of their appointment and identification

badges;

The Operations Manager

reports to the Chief Quarantine Officer ;

is responsible for the overall implementation of the surveillance and eradication plans

provides weekly reports to the Chief Quarantine Officer and Technical Adviser;

contacts the Chief Quarantine Officer and/or Technical Adviser at any time to seek

advice;

is responsible for the purchase of all the required equipment;

ensures that equipment is available when and where needed;

maintains an inventory of issued equipment;

organises transport and accommodation;

selects and appoints a surveillance team and eradication team of qualified officers.

Names of team members must be provided to the Chief Quarantine Officer, who will
gazette them as Plant Inspectors or other ex officio designations for the duration of
the operation.

together with the Technical Adviser, briefs and trains the surveillance team for their

tasks and targets with clear instructions. The trainers need to make sure that
everybody knows their positions and understands their responsibilities;

supplies the surveillance team with:

surveillance plan and attachments,

surveillance

equipment,

inspection, treatment and restitution forms (model in Annex 9),

limited material to treat and/or destroy infested plants or plant material,

safety equipment and first aid kit,

datasheets, notebooks, pens, markers.

decides on improvements to the operation that are suggested by the Technical

Adviser or Field Controller;

manages operational funds on a day-to-day basis;

reports expenses to the Financial Controller every week;

requests new funds from the Financial Controller every week,

decides on restitution payments according to regulations;

issues restitution payments;

once a month, contacts local traders (i.e. those dealing with the affected commodity)

who may observe unusual damage by the ant.

The Field Controller:
In large organisations, this could become two positions: one managing surveillance and one
managing treatment).

organises surveillance and treatment schedules;

is responsible for day to day implementation of the operation;

ensures

that:

appropriate procedures are followed,

infested products are disposed off or treated in the most appropriate way,

treatments are applied correctly.

decides on improvements to the operation suggested by the surveillance team.

suggests improvements to the Operations Manager and Technical Adviser.

the Nominee would report to the Chief Quarantine Officer . The Field Controller would report
to the Operations Manager;

the Field Controller would forward resource requirements to the Operations Manager. The
Nominee would deal with resource requirements himself/herself;

the Field Controller would provide weekly summary reports to the Operations Manager with
the record sheets attached. The Nominee would compile these reports for himself/herself.

The Financial Controller:

reports to the Operations Manager;

is in charge of administration and finance;

establishes procedures that allow fast processing of payments;

compiles weekly expenses reported by Nominee/Operations Manager;

mobilises new funds requested by Nominee/Operations Manager every week.

The communications specialist

reports to the Operations Manager

Manages the flow of information beyond the control centre

Prepares briefing notes to ministers and other political entities, and ensures

appropriate persons are informed of developments. This includes communication
with village councils, chiefs and other local level agencies.

Prepares briefing notes and reports to ERMC for the Operations Manager

Designs and implements public outreach strategy including contact with the media

Designs and implements outreach and engagement strategy to persons and

businesses within the areas being treated and surveyed.

Is the first point of contact for external agencies regarding progress and

developments.

The Technical Adviser:
briefs and trains the surveillance team and, in the case of an eradication, also the Field
Controller, on their tasks and targets. The briefing is conducted together with the Operations
Manager in the case of an eradication, or together with the Nominee in the case of a
containment. The trainers need to make sure that everybody knows their positions and
understands their responsibilities;

periodically monitors the operation to assess progress;

suggests improvements to the Nominee/Operations Manager;

sources additional technical information for the Nominee/Field Controller if required.

Suggests research priorities if required.

The surveillance and treatment teams:

reports to the Nominee / Field Controller;

follows the procedures outlined in the surveillance and treatment plans;

treats and if necessary destroys host materials;

issues inspection, treatment and restitution forms;

keeps records of trapped ants or collected risk items;

keeps records of inspected, treated, destroyed or released risk items;

keeps suspected samples and forwards them for identification;

provides weekly summary reports to the Nominee/Field Controller with the record

sheets and restitution claims attached;

forwards resource requirements to the Nominee/Field Controller;

suggests improvements to the Nominee/Field Controller and Technical Adviser.

The Chief Quarantine Officer, Financial Controller, Technical Adviser, Operations
Manager/Nominee and Field Controller meet at least monthly to discuss progress and further
action and set a date for the next review. At a minimum, monthly progress reports are to be
forwarded to the ERMC for consideration.

Area Freedom/Pest Freedom

The accepted standard for declaring area freedom in an ant eradication is the absence of
the ant for two years using accepted surveillance methods. The frequency and extent of
surveillance needs to be sufficiently rigorous to ensure the ant is truly eradicated.

The suggested frequency for post-eradication surveillance is twice per year over the two
year period; i.e. four rounds of negative surveillance after the last ant detection. The
surveillance needs to cover all previously infested areas and the survey should be designed
following the methods outlined in Appendix 2.

Additional useful links

General information on Little Fire Ants

http://www.hear.org/species/wasmannia_auropunctata/

http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=58&fr=1&sts=tss&lang=EN

General information on Red Imported Fire Ants

http://www.hear.org/species/solenopsis_invicta/

http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=77&fr=1&sts=tss&lang=EN

http://fireant.tamu.edu/

Conversion of GPS files to text files and import into Google earth

http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/convert_input

Information on chemicals

http://extoxnet.orst.edu/ghindex.html

A key to invasive ants in the Pacific

http://fijiants.org/PIAkey_page.htm

Appendix 1. Collection and identification of ant specimens

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to outline the procedures for collecting ant
specimens in the field, identifying the specimens and sending samples to an
international taxonomist for confirmation.

Scope

This standard operating procedure provides:

collection procedures for ant specimens in the field suspected as being a new

exotic incursion,

A key to invasive ant species in the Pacific region,

Instructions for curation and preparation of specimens for dispatch to an

overseas taxonomist for identification or confirmation, and

A contact list of taxonomists available to identify ant specimens.

Work instructions

Collection procedures
You will need the following equipment:

Specimen

vials

70% and-90% ethanol

Fine

forceps

A small paint brush

A notebook, a pencil, a pen

A small amount of peanut butter, luncheon meat and jam

A GPS if available

A digital camera if available

When arriving at the infested site, park your vehicle well away from the suspect nest
in order to minimise the chances of live ants climbing on board the vehicle and being
transported elsewhere when you leave. Look for obvious mounds or nests. Ask
local people or the officer who reported the ants where they were seen. DO NOT
disturb, poke or interfere with the nest. Many invasive ant species will disperse
quickly when disturbed and this will make future treatment more difficult. Also be

aware that several invasive ant species have unpleasant stings, so handle live ants
carefully and make sure not to get any lodged in clothing. If you are worried about
ant stings, dust your hands with talcum powder and/or wear latex gloves when
collecting samples.

It is best to collect ants a small distance away from the nest to avoid disturbing it.
Place small amounts of the peanut butter, luncheon meat and jam directly on the
ground in 4-8 different locations around the site. Try to place these baits in shaded
locations. If the ant was found foraging on trees and vegetation, place baits there as
well. Wait patiently for around 30 minutes and any ants present on the site will find
the bait and begin to recruit to it. Once ants are visible around each bait, collect
specimens into a vial partially filled with 70% ethanol by brushing them with a wet
brush. At the same time collect 5-10 specimens in to 90% ethanol vial for molecular
testing if required. The ants will stick to the wet brush and can then be transferred to
the vial. Note which bait type(s) they recruit to.

Often, more than one ant species can be present at a site and many species look
very similar. For this reason collect ants at each bait and keep them in separate
vials. Some ant species have different castes and it is useful to collect some of each
form that you might observe (small, medium and large ones, ones with large heads
or wings etc).

Make a note of the following on each collection vial:

A sample number (make a small sketch of the site in your notebook and

record where you collected each specimen).

Your

name,

Date,

Location

Which bait type the ants were recruiting to

GPS co-ordinates or waypoint number if you have a GPS

Record this information on the vial label with a biro, not a marking pen (ethanol can
wash away marking pen). Also, write the same information in pencil on a small piece
of paper and put this inside each specimen vial. If you have a digital camera, try to
take images of the nest or mound as well as foraging ants using the macro option on
the camera. It is also useful to take general site images as this will assist the
Technical Advisor with planning later on.

Before leaving the site, check your vehicle, clothing and equipment very carefully to
ensure no live ants are being transported from the site. Instruct residents not to
interfere with the nests or mounds and not to move any risk items (soil, produce,
firewood, mulch, pot plants, thatch etc) from the site. Also caution residents on the

possibility that the ants could sting people or livestock. Be sure to give nearby
residents your contact details or the Agency?s contact details.

Ant identification
The specimens should be examined by a taxonomist in your country experienced
with ants. There will be times when such a person might not be available. Without
specific training in ant taxonomy, identifying the species can be difficult. It is also
possible to mis-identify a specimen. However, some keys are available to help you
or the entomologist. One such key has been included in the resource section of this
plan. Another good key is available on-line at

http://fijiants.org/PIAkey_page.htm

(search for PIAKEY). Unfortunately, this page takes a long time to load even with a
fast internet connection.

Regardless of the outcome of the in-country identification, it is important to get
another taxonomist to confirm your identification. The contact details of taxonomists
willing to examine specimens and identify them (usually free of charge) are listed
below.

Table 5.1. Contact details of entomologists who can identify specimens.

Country Name

Contact

details

French
Polynesia

Rudolph Putoa

rudolph.putoa@rural.gov.pf

Service du d�veloppement rural
D�partement de la protection
des v�g�taux
BP 100 - 98713 Papeete
Tahiti - French Polynesia
Ph (689) 575 933
Fax (689) 410 530

an import permit is needed ?
Rudolph can arrange this

New
Zealand

Disna Gunawardana

Disna.Gunawardana@maf.govt.nz

Investigation and Diagnostic
Centre
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
231 Morrin Road, St. Johns,
P.O. Box 2095, Auckland 1140
New Zealand
64-9-909 5718

New
Zealand

Cas Vanderwoude

Cas@Vanderwoudeconsulting.com

VCL New Zealand
28A Gazelle Ave Beach Haven
Auckland, New Zealand 0626
ph/fax +64 9 4820543

Fiji

Ana Turaganitabua -

ana.turaganitabua@govnet.gov.fj

Viliame Ratoto -

viliame.ratoto@govnet.gov.fj

Ilaisa Dakaica -

ilaisa.dakaica@govnet.gov.fj

Fiji Quarantine and Inspection
Division
P.O. Box 18360, SUVA
Rep. of the Fiji Islands.

Ph: 679 331 2512
Fax:679 330 5043

New
Caledonia

Herv� Jourdan, PhD

Herve.Jourdan@noumea.ird.nc

Applied Zoology Laboratory
UR 022 / CBGP
IRD - Institut de Recherche pour
le D�veloppement
BP A5 / 98848 Noum�a Cedex
Nouvelle-Cal�donie / New
Caledonia
Tel : +687 26 07 84
Fax : +687 26 43 26

Preparing specimens for dispatch to overseas taxonomists
Use a small screw-top vial designed to be used with ethanol (plastic preferred). Take
several (6-10 specimens) from the samples you collected, being sure to include the
different castes if these were collected. Place these in the vial and fill the extra
space in the vial with cotton wool that has been soaked in ethanol. Squeeze out
excess ethanol so that there is no free liquid in the vial. Include all the collection
details you previously recorded written in pencil on paper and place this inside the
vial. Place the vial in a small cardboard box cushioned with bubble wrap or other
filler.

Before sending important or urgent specimens to the taxonomist you have chosen,
contact them directly to ensure they are able to do the identification. Sometimes
people go on leave for a few weeks and their mail remains unopened on their desk.
Once you have confirmed the taxonomist can identify the sample for you, send it to
them by the fastest possible means. Always use the ?track and trace? option if is
available and send the taxonomist a fax or email with the tracking number and details
for tracking the parcel. Always make sure the taxonomist has the contact details of
someone else in your office in case you are away when the taxonomist calls you.
Also CC this person on any emails you send regarding the sample.

Usually the cost of mailing the sample is met by the country but where this is a
problem, SPC will reimburse the mailing costs.

Appendix 2. Standardised surveillance and monitoring

methods for exotic ants

Purpose

The purpose of this document is to outline the procedures for conducting surveillance
and monitoring for exotic ants

Scope

This standard operating procedure provides:

Delimiting surveillance procedures for Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis

invicta) and Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata)

Monitoring procedures for Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) and

Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata); and

General surveillance procedures for Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis

invicta) and Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata)

Work instructions

Overview
Surveillance for ants is accomplished by placing vials baited with attractive food
items in a grid pattern over the entire area to be surveyed, and collecting the vials
after 30-60 minutes exposure. While the baits are in the field, any ants foraging
nearby will be attracted to the baits and these can be sealed inside the vials and
identified in the laboratory. The procedures for Little Fire Ants and Red Imported Fire
ants are slightly different and the procedures for delimiting, monitoring and general
surveillance are also slightly different. The instructions below are for the generic
survey method and differences for survey types are listed in Table 1 for Red
Imported Fire Ant and Table 2 for Little Fire Ant.

Equipment and supplies needed

Bait materials

A sufficient number of ?Biolab? 50cc bait vials (? with blue lids and ? with

yellow lids)

1 jar of smooth peanut butter per 500 baits; and a small amount of vegetable

oil

1 tin luncheon meat per 500 baits

1 jar of jam (clear, without lumps or seeds)

Toothpicks (1 per bait)

Bait preparation

Paper or plastic plates

2 dessert spoons for mixing

A sharp knife

Survey equipment and supplies

Map of survey area

Data

sheets

Clip

board

GPS if available

Hi-Viz

vests

Supermarket bags or other bags

Plastic bags for specimens

Large white, yellow, blue crayons to mark pottles locations or spray paint

First aid kit

stapler

pens

highlighter pens (3 colours)

Permanent marker vivid pens

Paint

brush

surveillance

forms

Planning the survey
When planning the survey, work out the area you want to cover and obtain a map or
aerial image of the site. Google Earth

is a good source of maps but most ports have

port plans which can also be used. If these are not available, make a sketch of the
area showing approximate distances. Contact site management at least a day
before the survey to make sure you have permission to enter and arrange any port
passes etc that might be needed. In the case of an airport or sea port, try to pick a
time when no planes are expected or ships are being loaded/unloaded. Also, plan to
do the survey during clear weather when rain is not expected.

Each team needs to be made up of three people and one team should be able to
place and collect around 200 pottles in a day. When planning the survey organise
staff in lots of three (3, 6, or 9 people) one person to record complete sample sheet
and/or mark waypoints, one person to deploy sugar baits and one person to deploy
protein baits. When preparing baits, make up around 70 per person working in the
survey. If you know the size of the area you have to cover and the survey type (see

1 A copy of the software you need is on the resource disk

Tables 1 and 2), you can also use these rates to work out how many days you will
need to complete the survey.

Bait preparation
Different ants are attracted to different food types so a mixture of bait types is used.
Its best to make only enough baits for a days work. This way the baits will be fresh
and attractive to ants (ants are not as interested in old baits). If possible, make them
up the day before and store them in a refrigerator overnight. This way you can make
an early start before temperatures get too hot.

You will make two types of bait: a protein bait and a sugar bait. When you lay them
out in the field, these will be placed alternately ? a protein bait, then a sugar bait,
then a protein bait etc. Use the vials with blue lids for the sugar baits and the vials
with yellow lids for the protein baits. That way you will know which is which. Keep
these in separate bags.

Protein baits contain a smear of peanut butter and a small cube of luncheon meat.
The convention is to use vials with yellow lids for these baits. Protein based bait
should be prepared by smearing a line of peanut butter (half the size of a pea) on the
inner side of each bait container on the side corresponding with the back of the
label

. In addition, a small cube of luncheon meat is to be placed inside each pot. If

the samples need to be sent overseas for identification, the meat will have to be
removed so in this case, spear the meat with a toothpick so that it will be easier to
remove after the survey.

Use a vial with a different colour lid for sugar baits. The sugar baits contain a smear
of light coloured jam on the inner side of each bait container on the side
corresponding with the back of the label. The jam should be light coloured and not
contain seeds, lumps or rinds. A little water can be mixed with the jam to make it
more runny and easier to spread

Conducting the survey
The aim of the survey is to thoroughly sample the ants at the site. This is done by
placing baits in a grid pattern over the entire area, placing protein baits and sugar
baits alternately. The spacing between baits is different for each survey type and
these are listed in Table 1 and 2. It is not important to have the grids at exactly
these spacings as long as the spacings are approximately correct. Sections that are
all concrete or bitumen do not need to be sampled because few ants nest in these
locations. Common ant habitats are listed in Table 3 and it is important that these
are all sampled.

Bait vials should be collected 30-90 minutes after placement depending on the ant
species. It takes much less time to retrieve vials than it does to deploy them. As a
guide, teams should place vials for one hour for Red Imported Fire Ants and 90
minutes for Little Fire Ants, then stop and retrieve the vials they have deployed in the
order they were deployed. This way, the vials placed at the beginning will have been

This makes it easier for the entomologist to identify specimens.

out for 60-90 minutes and the ones deployed last will have been exposed for about
30-45 minutes depending on ant species.

Surveillance should not occur during or after rain when the ground surface is still wet
and also on windy days. Also no rain is to occur between placement of bait traps and
their retrieval. If rain is imminent, it is a good idea to stop deploying baits and
retrieve the ones already out. If this is not possible, collect the baits one hour after
the rain has stopped. If not many ants are at the baits, it might be necessary to re-
survey the rain-affected section.

Bait pottles shall be placed in the shade where possible. As a hint place your vials
away from prevailing wind and angle the entrance slightly to the ground. This helps
prevent vials filling with water if you encounter a sudden down pour.

All bait vial locations should be marked on the ground using crayon, spray paint or a
durable water-proof alternative to record the specimen number.

Any unusual ants (that look different to common established species) sighted while
conducting surveillance should be collected as a visual sample and the location
recorded on the ground, map and survey form that indicates the area where they
were found so that the site could be re-visited for further investigation.

Keeping records
Good record keeping is essential because once the ants are identified by the
entomologist, you will need to know where each sample was placed in the field. The
vials have a label on which this information can be written. At a minimum, the date,
location and a sample number are needed. These should also be entered on a data
sheet (a sample data sheet is appended). Number each sample consecutively 1, 2,
3, etc and if there is more than one team working at the location, make sure each
team uses their own unique numbers. For example, you might allocate numbers 1-
500 to team 1 and 501-999 to team 2, etc. You will need to record the sample
number on the ground with a crayon or paint marker so that you can find the location
again if the sample is positive.

Alternative documentation system
If you have access to a global positioning system (GPS) the documentation method
can be streamlined considerably. You can mark waypoints for each bait and record
the waypoint number on the vial. After the day?s survey, download the waypoints
onto a computer and print them out and email the data to the entomologist. Send the
samples to the entomologist with the print-out and a summary sheet containing other
collection details (date, location team members etc) You can then plot the waypoints
onto a map using Google Earth (Plus) or have the GIS section of your department do
this for you. The resource section has detailed instructions on how to do this.

Table 5.2. Detailed specifications for Red Imported Fire Ants and other exotic ants

Red Imported
Fire Ants and
other invasive
ants

Delimiting Surveys Post Treatment

Monitoring

General (outside
known infested
zone)

Methods

Bait vials

pitfall traps or bait
vials

Bait vials

Baits/ Food
lures

sugar and protein
alternated

Vial spacing

200/ha, 1 vial every
7m

400/ha, 1 vial every
5m

100/ha, 1 vial every
10m

Pitfall spacing

1 pitfall trap every
10m (Pitfall traps
contain 70%
ethanol, some
glycerine)

Time in field

30 -60 minutes

30 -60 minutes
(Pitfall traps 5-7
days)

30 -60 minutes

Frequency/
length of
programme

Immediately, if
results negative
follow up every six
months for 2 years

If results positive,
treat and monitor
out to delimiting
boundary

Six months for 2
years beyond last
detection

Six monthly
annually (2 rounds
per year)

Buffer zone

2 km

200m

50m

Visual
Surveillance

If field identification possible, can use visual surveillance in high
density areas but still use baits in buffer zones and around edges.
Note that S.invicta and Tropical Fire Ants (S. geminate) are
difficult to differentiate in the field.

Table 5.3. Detailed specifications for Little Fire Ants

. Little Fire Ants Delimiting Surveys Post Treatment

Monitoring

General (outside
known infested
zone)

Methods

vials pitfall

traps

and

vials

Baits/ Food
lures

Peanut butter only

Vial spacing

100/ha, 1 vial every
10m. Once no ants
detected, switch to
1 vial every 5 m at
least 20m beyond
the limits of
detection

400/ha, 1 vial every
5m

200-400/ha, 1 vial
every 5-7m
depending on
available resources

Pitfall spacing

1 pitfall trap every
10m (Pitfall traps
contain 70%
ethanol, some
glycerine)

Time in field

45 min, maximum
up to 1.5 hours

45 min, maximum
up to 1.5 hours
(Pitfall traps 5-7
days)

45 min, maximum
up to 1.5 hours

Frequency/
length of
programme

Immediately, if
results negative
follow up every six
months for 2 years

If results positive,
treat and monitor
out to delimiting
boundary

Six months for 2
years beyond last
detection

Six monthly
annually (2 rounds
per year)

Buffer zone

20m 20m 50m

Visual
Surveillance

Very efficient in high density areas especially if surveyors are
familiar with the ant. Habitat is 3 dimensional- in soil,
intermediate canopy, vegetation, target bananas and coconut
trees first. A good visual method is to use a smear of peanut
butter on a plastic card as a bait.

Appendix 3. Guidelines for preparation of the management

plan

The Management Plan should contain a surveillance/monitoring strategy, a treatment
strategy, detailed movement controls and a communication strategy. These in
totality should address the following points:

Specification of articles that could be hosts or carry the ant.

Definition of the infested area.

Measures that achieve co-operation from owners of infested areas, growers

associations, traders, local extension officers, conservation groups and other
authorities.

Specific awareness measures (radio broadcasts, posters, signboards,

leaflets, public meetings) to inform the public about the ant and the operation.

Procedures to trace, check and if necessary treat or destroy host materials

that may have been removed from the infested area.

Measures to stop all operations that are likely to assist the ant in reaching an

endangered area.

Establishment of inspection points (e.g. harbour, airport, crossroads) to

prevent the uncontrolled movement of risk items out of the infested area.

Type of inspections to be done.

List of required inspection and treatment equipment (preferably locally

available).

A list of chemicals needed for control and registration/permit requirements for

their use (a list of suitable products and contact details of suppliers are listed
in appendix 4)

Procedures for the release of plants, plant products, soil, machinery, or other

risk items from the quarantine area after clearance by appointed officers.

Action if suspicious specimen are found.

Establishment of an operational control centre.

Maintenance and processing of work sheets and assignment of responsibility

for this task because trading partners will request information to support claims

of area freedom.

Starting date for monthly reviews of the operation.

Documentation systems for survey and treatment

The Containment Plan should have the dossier on the ant, the delimiting survey

report and the relevant part of a legal provision attached.

Budget

Points to consider in the budget are, broadly speaking, expenses for human
resources, transport, material and awareness measures; in more detail, these are:

Human resources

Salaries and wages

Overtime payments

Lunch allowances

Costs of accommodation and per diems

Hiring

labour

Transport

Air or boat fares

Hire of transport to move staff, plants and plant material

Fuel,

spare

parts

Material

Posts, paint, quarantine tape to mark borders of infested area

Inspection equipment

Equipment and material like anticides or kerosene that are
needed to treat, remove or destroy infested plants or plant
material

Safety equipment (helmets, raincoats, gloves...) and first aid kit

Identification badges

Stationery

Public Awareness

Signboards: design costs, number of boards

Radio programme

Posters: design costs, number of posters, with or without

lamination

Leaflets: design costs, number of leaflets

Cost of meetings in affected areas

Restitution

Appropriate restitution payments for destroyed crops or crop products

Appendix 4. Supplier details for chemicals suitable for exotic ant

control

Active ingredient product

Manufacturer

Amdro BASF
Maxforce Fire
Ant Killer
granular bait

Bayer

Hydramethylnon

Campaign Sumitomo

Australia

Indoxacarb Advion

Dupont

Ceasefire BASF

Fipronil

Xstinguish

Environmental Health Products

Suppliers of pest control chemicals

This list is not exhaustive but would be a good starting point.

New Zealand
Environmental Health Products
42B Elice Rd Glenfield New Zealand
ph +64 9 440 9994
fax +64

9 443 5083

John@flybusters.co.nz

VCL New Zealand
28A Gazelle Ave Beach Haven
Auckland, New Zealand 0626
ph/fax +64 9 482 0543
email

cas@vanderwoudeconsulting.com

Australia
Garrards Pty Ltd.
P.O. Box 5477
Brendale MDC
Queensland 4500
Ph +61 7 3881 1693
Fax +61 7 3881 1781
email

craig@garrards.com.au

Globe Australia
2/21 Alton St, Coopers Plains,
QLD 4108, Australia
ph +61 7 3277 3999
fax +61

7 3277 5644

sales@globeaustralia.com.au

Appendix 5. Treatment options for ant control

Overview

Baits (an attractive food matrix laced with a toxin) are regarded as best practice for
control of ants. Most commercial ant baits are manufactured in granular form and
designed for easy distribution over the soil surface. These baits have usually been
developed specifically for Red Imported Fire Ants as this is the largest market for
chemical companies. They all take a similar form: comprised of pre-gel defatted
corn grit mixed with ~20% (by weight), vegetable oil that has been pre-mixed with a
toxin. A thorough review of bait types available worldwide has been prepared by
Stanley (2004) and a copy is included in the resource section.

Baits work by exploiting the ants? social structure. Foraging ants find food and bring
this back to the nest to share with their sisters, the larvae and the queen. By
spreading these baits on the ground, the ants find the bait instead of the operator
having to find the nest. Unfortunately, not many active ingredients are effective in ant
baits, so the choice of products is limited. The choice of product will also be limited
by availability. Not all products will be available for all countries and some products
may take too long to ship. Currently five active ingredients are available in a number
of formulations and these are discussed in the following section. All or any of these
active ingredients are suitable, and Appendix 4 lists some of the product names and
suppliers.

Chemicals

Hydramethylnon
This active is one of the older ones in use today. It is also used for cockroach control
and has a safe toxicological profile (its safe to use and has very few non-target
impacts). Also it is available from a number of manufacturers which means there is
some price competition and will be less expensive to buy. The effects of
hydramethylnon baiting might take 2-4 weeks to become apparent in the field.

Fipronil
This is a relatively new active ingredient and still under patent. Besides ant control it
is also used in vegetable crops, flea control for dogs and cats and termite control.
Fire Ant baits incorporating fipronil are very fast acting (1-2 days) as the chemical is
extremely effective. However, it will have greater non-target impacts especially if not
used carefully. Fipronil is very toxic to aquatic life and crustaceans (crabs, shrimps
etc), so use near water is not advised. Coconut crabs appear to be very susceptible
to this toxin.

Indoxacarb
Indoxacarb is a new compound and so far has proven extremely effective in ant
control. It has a very good toxicological profile. Results are very quick, 1-2 days.
Because it is still under patent, it is more expensive than the other actives and supply
could be more difficult.

Insect Growth Regulators
Insect Growth regulators (IGRs) are not a toxin. They work by preventing the queen
from laying eggs and also stop insect from pupating. When used for ant control, the
results can be very slow because the worker ants are unaffected and can live for
many months. They are, however, very effective and their use should be considered
if available.

An ideal regime would be to apply bait with an insect growth regulator first and follow
this with another bait type 2-3 months later. There are a number of IGRs available
on the market today. The ones with the best record in ant control are s-methoprene
and pyriproxyfen. Both of these are used extensively for mosquito control, whitefly
control as well as flea treatments for cats and dogs.

Treatment programme

It is not possible to get 100% control from a single ant bait treatment. The chemicals
listed above typically provide 70-85% control, leaving a small residual population. A
total of 8-12 treatments over 2-5 years might be necessary for complete removal of
the ant from the site.

Developing a treatment regime should take local climatic conditions into account.
Treatment during a wet or monsoon season will not be very effective because the
baits are affected by rain. For places with distinct wet and dry seasons, it is
recommended to treat 2-3 times per year during drier months. If the climate is the
same all year round, then regular treatments need to be scheduled using weather
forecasts to select dry days for bait application. The baits need to be applied to dry
soil followed by 12-24 hours without rain. In some locations this could be the most
difficult aspect of the entire treatment programme.

Application methods
Granular baits can be spread by hand in a manner similar to feeding chickens.
However, calibration using this method is difficult and normally results in too much
product being used. Small inexpensive spreaders are available from a number of
sources, and most pesticide suppliers will be able to supply them. These spreaders
have a small hopper where the granules are stored and they work by turning a
spinner handle. The units are calibrated by a variable opening in the hopper. Swath
width is 3-4 metres.

Sometimes motor driven blowers are used to treat areas not accessible by foot.
These blowers are heavy and cumbersome not to mention expensive. An option for
treating large areas is the use of an agricultural helicopter. These can be equipped
with a pair of spreaders or a sling bucket. The cost is high, typically >$US 1000 per
hour but large areas can be covered very quickly.

Red Imported Fire Ants

This species nests almost exclusively in soil. Often the mounds are easy to spot.
However, there are usually other nests that can not be easily seen. Treatment for
this species consists of spreading granular baits over all ground within the
designated treatment area. It is not necessary to apply treatments to vegetation or
inside dwellings and other buildings. The Standard Operating Procedure titled
?Distribution of Bait Granules? should be followed when treating for Red Imported Fire
Ants.

Red Imported Fire Ants are able to spread by nuptial flights ? new queens flying
away from the nest to start new colonies. The generally accepted distance that these
new queens can fly is around 1.6km. This means that any treatment programme
should include a buffer area of at least 2km out from known infested areas.

Little Fire Ants

Treating Little Fire Ants is very different from treating Red Imported Fire Ants. Red
Imported Fire Ants nest in soil and are rarely found foraging more than a metre
above the ground. Certainly, the main nest is always in soil. Little Fire Ants do not
build elaborate nests and nest predominantly in and on vegetation (as well as under
stones, logs etc). Here, they gain much of the energy needed for rapid colony growth
and dispersal by tending hemiptera (scale insects, mealybugs etc) which provide
them with an abundant supply of carbohydrates.

It is not uncommon to find Little Fire Ant nests in the crowns of mature coconuts as
much as 30 metres above the ground. We know that Little Fire Ants do not forage a
great distance away from their nests so it is vitally important that the ground as well
as vegetation is treated. Ground treatment should follow the ?Distribution of Bait
Granules? SOP. The Standard Operating Procedure titled ?Treatment with Xstinguish
Bait? should be followed for treating vegetation.

Little Fire Ants are not thought to fly when they disperse so a large treatment buffer is
not needed. Treatment should extend 20 metres beyond the limits of detection. If
treatment can not be accomplished immediately after detection, a containment
treatment can be applied around the infested area to prevent further spread. The
Standard Operating Procedure ?Containment? should be followed for this activity.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: CONTAINMENT OF

LITTLE FIRE ANTS

Purpose and scope

This standard operating procedure describes recommended methods for containing a
newly discovered outbreak of Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) and for
ongoing prophylactic containment of existing outbreaks.

Background

Little Fire Ants are spreading rapidly through the Pacific region. It is an invasive
species with substantial economic, social and environmental impacts. Eradication of
this pest requires that ants are contained within infested areas and do not spread
beyond treatment boundaries

Materials

Maxforce Fire Ant Granules, Amdro or similar product

?Scott? brand bait spreader

Method

The intent of treatment of a containment line is to create a treated buffer between
areas known to be infested and areas believed to free of Little Fire Ants. It may be
thought of as a prophylactic treatment that provides an extra level of security.
Maxforce? Fire Ant Granules, Amdro? or similar products are easily distributed
using a ?Scott? brand bait spreader. The aperture is set at ?1? (Figure 1) and the
operator winds the spreader handle at approximately 60 rpm while walking at 3 km/h
(Figure 2). The swath width thus created is approximately 4 metres. Therefore three
passes along the containment line should be sufficient to deliver a 10-15 metre
treated zone.

It is important that the same zone is treated on successive operations as this
provides a continuous barrier to spread by Little Fire Ant colonies. The path taken by
the operator should be carefully selected and wherever possible, a track or open
area should be chosen. The centre of the containment path should be as close as
practically possible to the edge of the treatment area.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: DISTRIBUTION OF

ANT BAIT GRANULES

Purpose and scope

This standard operating procedure describes recommended methods for treating the
ground within a designated outbreak of Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) or
Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta).

Background

Little Fire Ants are spreading rapidly through the Pacific region and or Red Imported
Fire Ants are a known invasive threat to the region. They are both invasive species
with substantial economic, social and environmental impacts. Eradication of these
pests requires that ants are contained within infested areas and treated with products
that will eradicate them.

Materials

Maxforce? Fire Ant Granules, Amdro? or similar product

?Scott? brand bait spreader

Method

The intent of treatment with granular baits is to deliver an even distribution of the bait
over the soil surface at an approximate rate of 2kg product per hectare. Maxforce
Fire Ant Granules, Amdro and similar products are easily distributed using a ?Scott?
brand bait spreader. The aperture is set at ?1? and the operator winds the spreader
handle at approximately 60 rpm while walking at 3 km/h (see standard operating
procedure for containment). The swath width thus created is approximately 4
metres. An overlapping series of parallel swathes is recommended. This is
accomplished by starting on one boundary of an infested site and proceeding 1 metre
inside the boundary. Once the operator reaches the end of the treatment area, he or
she takes 2-3 paces towards the untreated area and returns parallel to the original
path (see Figure 3). Continuing this process, the designated area can be
systematically covered. It is important that all ground is treated including spaces
between buildings and corners of gardens. An additional sweep around buildings,
garden edges and other structures is recommended. Rainfall within 12 hours of
treatment will reduce effectiveness so plan to conduct treatment when rain is not
expected for 12 hours.

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE: TREATMENT WITH

XSTINGUISH BAIT FOR LITTLE FIRE ANTS

Purpose and scope

This standard operating procedure describes recommended methods for treating
vegetation and structures within a designated outbreak of Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia
auropunctata).

Background

Little Fire Ants are spreading rapidly through the Pacific. It is an invasive species
with substantial economic, social and environmental impacts. Eradication of this pest
requires that ants are contained within infested areas and treated with products that
will eradicate them.

Materials

Xstinguish? Ant Bait

250mm caulking gun

sharp knife or blade for opening bait.

Method

The intent of treatment with Xstinguish? bait is to ensure areas not adequately
covered by granular baits are also treated. Little Fire Ants are predominantly
arboreal and most trees, shrubs, structures and buildings will harbor small ant
colonies. Many such colonies do not forage great distances and therefore they may
not always reach the ground-applied bait granules.

Xstinguish? is a paste bait with fipronil as the active ingredient. It is supplied in 325
gram tubes and applied using caulking guns available at most hardware stores
(Figure 4). The bait is easily applied to cracks, crevices, branches, vertical surfaces
etc and it is therefore very suitable for use on trees, shrubs and buildings. The
correct application rate is 3kg per hectare (approximately 9-10 tubes). Rainfall within
12 hours of treatment will reduce effectiveness so plan to conduct treatment when
rain is not expected for 12 hours.

Every tree, shrub, structure building is to be treated as follows:

Trees
Large trees need to be climbed. Go as high as it is safe to do so and apply a small
amount of bait (enough to cover your small fingernail) to suitable locations such as
branch junctions, hollows, areas with dead wood, areas where debris has collected
and along branches. If Little Fire Ants are seen, place additional amounts of bait
along foraging trails. The bait should be placed at approximately 1 metre intervals.
Always start from the top of the tree and work down. Stepping on bait may cause the
operator to slip and fall. On palms and coconuts, several spots need to be placed in
the crown, near dead or dying fronds, and in foot holds and hollows of the trunk.

Bananas
Banana clumps are regarded as perfect habitat for Little Fire Ants. In infested areas,
almost all the spaces between leaf axils and the stem will house a small colony. It is
important to place an amount of bait in each of these leaf axils. Also examine the
trash around the banana clump and place some bait along fallen or cut trunks.

Shrubs and small trees
Flowering plants, fruit bearing trees and small shrubs are often used by Little Fire
Ants for food gathering. These are generally too fragile to climb but place spots of
bait in branch junctions, hollows, cracks and crevices. If a foraging trail is seen,
follow it to the ground and/or to the nest and place some bait there also.

Buildings and structures
The bases of buildings and other structures are places where Little Fire Ants will be
found. Work around each building, placing spots of bait at 1-2 metre intervals. The
best spots to place baits are cracks crevices, hollows and places where foraging
trails can be seen. If ants are seen foraging up walls or posts, place additional bait
as high as can be safely reached. Always choose the shady side of posts to place
bait as Little Fire Ants prefer to forage in shady locations.