Cooperative Extension in Chatham County will offer a program on fire ant management on Monday November 10. There is no charge for the program that begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Agriculture Building in downtown Pittsboro. Participants are required to call 919.542.8202, to pre-register for limited seating. This program is a repeat of the October 15 version, because we had to turn people away. Register early.
Extension Agents Al Cooke and Sam Groce will conduct the program. Calls have been coming in from “all over the county” about how to control fire ants. Many available products can be used to manage fire ants, but how those products are used is more important.
We will not promise that you can eliminate fire ants. Our presentation will focus on understanding the life within a fire ant mound and using the ants’ habits to our advantage. We will present strategies recognized as effective for dealing with fire ant mounds along with their advantages and disadvantages.
As a livestock Agent, Sam Groce points out that there are very few products that can be used in pastures or forage crops. This is both a safety issue and a legal issue. It is a violation of Federal law to use pesticides in a location not specified on the label.
Fall is an excellent time for treating fire ant mounds. Ants are actively foraging in the fall. If we can reduce the numbers now, there may be fewer queens mating and establishing new mounds next year.
Two hours Pesticide Recertification credit has been approved for categories G, H, I, K, L, N, O, D, X. The program is appropriate for both professionals and non-professionals. Seating will be limited for the program. Participants are required to call 919.542.8202 to pre-register as long as seating is available.
Al Cooke