FINAL REPORT September 2015

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF
LITTLE FIRE ANTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
A report to the Government of the Republic of Vanuatu.

Casper Vanderwoude
Vanderwoude Consulting, Hilo Hawaii

Lilly Fatal,
Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, Port Vila, Vanuatu; andSylverio Bule,
Biosecurity , Port Vila, Vanuatu

September 2015.

This report contributes to the GEF PAS project “Prevention, eradication and control of invasive alien species in the
Pacific islands". It is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP) and executed by Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme(SPREP) in partnership with the Department of Environment Protection & Conservation, Vanuatu”

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CONTENTS
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................... 4
Background ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Current Status of Little Fire Ants in Vanuatu ................................................................................................ 5
Project activities (August 2015) .................................................................................................................... 5
Factors That Determine Future Management and Response ...................................................................... 6
Capacity for survey and identification ................................................................................................... 6
Capacity for control operations ............................................................................................................. 7
Broad description of methods ............................................................................................................... 7
Access to funds ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Human Resources .................................................................................................................................. 9
A response plan ..................................................................................................................................... 9
Eradication ......................................................................................................................................... 9Aggressive control (objectives determine budget) ............................................................................ 9Long-term management (budget determines objectives)............................................................... 10
No management .............................................................................................................................. 10
Domestic and National Quarantine ..................................................................................................... 10
Options for Future Management and Response ........................................................................................ 10
Factors determining effective treatment ............................................................................................ 10
Choice of treatment products ............................................................................................................. 11
Operational Focus................................................................................................................................ 12
References .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Appendix A. detailed maps of delimited LFA infestations in Luganville ..................................................... 17
Appendix B. detailed maps of delimited LFA infestations in Port Vila........................................................ 20
Appendix C. Schedule of in-country activities 17-28 August ..................................................................... 22
Appendix D. Standard operating procedures for treatment activities ...................................................... 25
Standard operating procedure - Application of granular baits to control Little Fire Ants .................. 25
Purpose and scope .................................................................................................................................. 25
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 25
Materials ................................................................................................................................................. 25
Method.................................................................................................................................................... 25
Application ........................................................................................................................................... 26
Hand-held spreaders ........................................................................................................................ 26
Motorized blowers ........................................................................................................................... 28
Choosing baits for control of Little Fire Ants ....................................................................................... 29
Cautions ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Standard operating procedure - Treatment of Little Fire Ants with gel baits ............................................ 30
Purpose and scope .................................................................................................................................. 30
Materials ................................................................................................................................................. 30
Method.................................................................................................................................................... 30
Trees................................................................................................................................................. 31
Bananas ............................................................................................................................................ 31
Shrubs and small trees ..................................................................................................................... 32
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Buildings and structures................................................................................................................... 32
Spray tools........................................................................................................................................ 32
Cleaning and maintenance .................................................................................................................. 33
Standard operating procedure - Mixing gel baits for control of Little Fire Ants ........................................ 34
Purpose and scope .................................................................................................................................. 34
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 34
Method.................................................................................................................................................... 34
Ingredients ........................................................................................................................................... 34
Mixing equipment................................................................................................................................ 35
Choice of toxicant ............................................................................................................................ 35
Vegetable oil .................................................................................................................................... 35
Xanthan gum .................................................................................................................................... 35
Peanut butter ................................................................................................................................... 36
Coloring ............................................................................................................................................ 36
Mixing procedure .................................................................................................................................... 36
Mixing devices.................................................................................................................................. 36
Standard operating procedure - Surveillance and monitoring methods for Little Fire Ants .................. 38
Purpose and scope .................................................................................................................................. 38
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 38
Planning the survey ............................................................................................................................. 38
Lure preparation (bait stick method) .................................................................................................. 38
Lure preparation (vial method) ........................................................................................................... 39
Conducting the survey ......................................................................................................................... 40

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Wasmannia auropunctata (The Little Fire Ant or LFA) is a pest ant species with broad and severe
potential impacts to the Republic of Vanuatu. This species threatens subsistence and commercial
agriculture, tourism, outdoor life, health of people and livestock, as well as the environmental integrityof protected areas. To date, LFA have invaded three Vanuatu provinces: Torba (several islands), Sanma(Espiritu Santo) and Shefa (Efate).
The capacity of Vanuatu to manage this issue is hampered by knowledge and skills gaps, access to
specialized equipment and pesticides as well as a lack of funds to dedicate to this issue. During thecurrent phase of this project, capacity for managing this issue has been increased and project staff now
have the knowledge and skills required to undertake long-term management of this emerging issue.
Without action, the future for Vanuatu may be unpleasant. Little Fire Ants will continue to spreadthroughout the archipelago and impacts will increase in proportion to the area occupied by this species,
affecting agriculture, society, tourism and the environment. Recommendations for long-term
management of this issue include:
1. Development and implementation of a national response plan, shaped by the technical feasibility oferadication, aggressive control or longer-term management of known infestations.
2. Active efforts to prevent spread of LFA to uninfected islands, including creation and delivery of
public awareness information; and biosecurity efforts that detect and prevent the movement of
infested items between islands.
3. Acquisition of long-term funding, including funding for dedicated personnel, infrastructure,materials and travel costs that address this issues through the medium-long term.

BACKGROUND
Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) are an established and expanding invasive pest in Vanuatu,
present in three of the nation’s six provinces. This species poses a serious threat to the economy,
ecological health and social well-being of Vanuatu and its inhabitants. Once established, Little Fire Ants
form dense three-dimensional supercolonies that resemble a “living blanket of ants” (1) on the ground,vegetation and tree canopies. Ants nesting in trees are easily dislodged by wind and other minor
disturbance and often fall from their arboreal homes onto people and animals below, stinging their
victims and causing blindness in domestic animals(2). In natural ecosystems, they prey on, or drive out
native fauna, leaving an ecosystem depleted of much of its pre-existing animal life(3). The mutualisms
formed between Little Fire Ants and Homoptera cause crop losses in agriculture and declines in plant
health for native ecosystems. The presence of Little Fire Ants poses a biosecurity threat to countries
receiving goods from Vanuatu, potentially causing rejection of commodities and additional export costs
for shippers.
Perhaps more importantly, Little Fire Ants ( LFA) readily establish in urban areas and around human
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habitation. Here, they cause extreme discomfort to all who live within infested areas by stinging
residents in their homes, infesting food gardens (4) and blinding domestic pets and livestock.
This report describes the current situation in Vanuatu, outlines project-specific activities to date, andassesses in-country capacity for surveillance and treatment. Additionally, options for future
management are described and discussed.

CURRENT STATUS OF LITTLE FIRE ANTS IN VANUATU
Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation staff, along with project partners, conducted
delimiting surveys of the known infested areas in 2014 and 2015. Maps created by this survey effort areappended. Three provinces have at least one site infested by LFA:
1. Torba – Most of the Banks and Torres island groups, excluding Hui and Metoma islands.
2. Sanma – Espiritu Santo island: five sites in and near Luganville (Pepsi, Solway, Mango Station,
Lavusvatu and the Talua Ministry Training Centre at the south of the island).
3. Shefa – Efate: four sites in and near Port Vila (Emten Lagoon, Teouma Bush, Malapoa DRK area,
Manples area, Holen and Fresh Wota).
Undoubtedly there are many unconfirmed infested sites in these provinces, especially within the cities
of Luganville and Port Vila.

PROJECT ACTIVITIES (AUGUST 2015)
The preliminary project report identified that staff had already acquired skills sufficient for surveying
and mapping. However skills and knowledge on treatment (pesticide and bait application) wererequired. Two workshops were conducted; one in Port Vila and another in Luganville. Participants
included staff from Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, Department of Forestry,
Department of Agriculture & Rural Development and Biosecurity Vanuatu. A participant list isappended. Each workshop consisted of one day of presentations and a day of practical training. The
sessions were as follows:
Day 1
1.
2.
3.
4.

Impacts of Little Fire Ants in Hawaii and Tahiti
History of LFA spread in the Pacific region including Vanuatu
Biology of LFA and the basics of control methodologies
Control and eradication options for LFA

Day 2
1. Practical training – mixing HAL gel bait
2. Practical training – application of gel baits to trees and groundAn additional workshop was conducted for the staff of Port Vila’s pest control company (EzzyKill) in to
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provide pest control operators with basic knowledge to identify and report new infestations
encountered during their work day. EzzyKill management has also committed to assisting with supply ofpesticides.
Additional time was used for entry meetings, purchase of essential project materials and practicaltreatment of infested sites as the weather permitted.
Project staff mixing baits and preparing for bait application

FACTORS THAT DETERMINE FUTURE MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE
Six interdependent factors will determine which options are available for management of LFA in
Vanuatu: capacity for survey, treatment skills, human resources, funding, an agreed plan or strategy
and implementation of domestic quarantine procedures.
CAPACITY FOR SURVEY AND IDENTIFICATION
Prior to this project, the ability of project staff to survey and map LFA infestations was strengthened bydelivery of a basic GPS and Little Fire Ant identification workshop conducted in 2014 by the Department
6|PageFINAL REPORT September 2015of Environmental Protection & Conservation. This workshop was a part of the Little Fire Ant eradicationand management activities under the Invasive Alien Species Project Vanuatu. The Biosecurity Vanuatu& Survey Department facilitated this two day training from 1st-2nd September 2014 and included
participants from Forestry department, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and
Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation.
Participants from this training course subsequently delimited several LFA infestations in and near
Luganville on the island of Espiritu Santo. Five separate infestations were identified and delimited(Figure 2, Appendix A). Four infestations are located in the city of Luganville, and a fifth infestation is
located at the Talua Ministry Training Centre, some 25km south-west of Luganville. Additionaldelimiting surveys have been conducted on Efate where four infestations were discovered (Figure 3,
Appendix B).
CAPACITY FOR CONTROL OPERATIONSApplication of baits to infested land is relatively simple. During the workshops conducted in Port Vilaand Santo, all participants demonstrated confidence in all aspects of mixing, application and use of
appropriate personal protective equipment. During subsequent treatment operations, the project
coordinator was able to record and map treatment activities through the use of the track function of ahand held GPS. A Garmin Foretrex™ 301 was used for this purpose as this model is extremely compact,simple to use and functions well under canopy cover. Refresher training (especially for project
management and data management) may be required in the future.
BROAD DESCRIPTION OF METHODS
A substantial new body of research conducted in recent years has provided practitioners with effective
tools necessary for control and eradication of this species. One factor that sets Little Fire Ants apartfrom other invasive ant species is a predisposition to form small interconnected colonies in vegetation
including the tree canopy. This aspect of LFA biology is observed mostly in areas with higher rainfall andwithout a pronounced dry season. The windward (south-east) coasts of the islands of Vanuatu
experience regular rainfall, warm year-round climates and landscapes with deep shade. These
conditions are ideal for proliferation of this species. The leeward (north-west) coasts are more arid andthese areas are less suitable for establishment of arboreal colonies.
New best-practice methods for treatment of LFA include the manufacture and application of speciesspecific gel baits. These baits, which have a consistency similar to mayonnaise, allow application tovegetation and tree canopies. The bait matrix (the attractant) can be made locally with readily available
ingredients and are mostly comprised of oil, water and peanut butter. Two concentrate ingredients areneeded to complete the bait: an emulsifier-thickener which facilitates the mixing of the oil and water;
and an insecticide. Both items are needed in very small quantities reducing difficulties associated withordering, transportation and importation. The total cost of ingredients to make 1 kilogram of finishedbait is approximately $2.30. Treatment rates vary depending on the density of vegetation. In heavy
vegetation, 20kg maximum may be needed for a single application (USD$46.00-$51.00 per ha)
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Vegetable oil (soya oil is preferred) is available in food stores in Port Vila for approximately USD$4 perlitre. As the bait contains 35% soya oil, the cost per kg will be USD$1.40. Peanut butter is required at a
rate of 30 grams per kg bait which adds a cost of approximately USD$0.50.
The most suitable emulsifier-thickener for this purpose is xanthan gum. This is a powdered productmanufactured for thickening food items such as sauces, yoghurt and other food items. It is not readily
available in Vanuatu but can be purchased through overseas suppliers. A total of 7 grams xanthan areneeded to produce one kg bait. Xanthan can be purchased for USD$35 per kg and shipping is $55 for
5kg product. This is approximately USD$0.33 per kg finished bait.
An effective insecticide needs to be non-detectable, effective when greatly diluted and slow acting.
There are several insecticides available for purchase through a pest control company in Port Vila or from
Australian suppliers.
Termidor™ or generic equivalents contain 9.1% fipronil. It is used worldwide for ant and termite control
and is especially effective against LFA when used in a bait. Only 0.05% product is needed in finished bait
(0.5ml per kg finished bait) having an effective concentration of 0.00455% active ingredient. One litre ofTermidor™ will be sufficient to manufacture 2000kg finished bait at an approximate cost of USD$0.05
per kg.
Arilon™, contains 20% indoxacarb. This active is used in agriculture for lepidopteran control invegetables and tree fruits. The toxicological profile of this active is exceptionally benign and is therefore
a preferred option for use in food gardens and near water (fipronil is very toxic to aquatic life). Arilon™
should be mixed with the gel bait at a rate of 6g/kg (equivalent to 0.024% a.i. in finished bait). The
approximate cost of Arilon™ is USD$0.20 per kg finished bait.
Baits can be applied using backpack type (piston pump type) sprayers modified with a 2D nozzle, orgood quality one litre spray bottles. Bait can also be applied to the ground with a plastic water bottle
after drilling a small hole in the lida.

ACCESS TO FUNDS
There are few successful examples of eradications for any social insect invasion worldwide. However,those projects that have succeeded share some common features. One critical feature is long-term
dedicated funding for the project. This is the most critical factor and the main variable that determines
project outcomes. Eradication of LFA from a single site requires a technically feasible plan that is backed
by good science, repeated timely applications of bait, trained staff, close monitoring of the target
population during the treatment phase and long-term post-eradication monitoring. The process oftreatment and monitoring to ensure no viable colonies remain may take as long as four years andaLabels must be removed and the bottles marked to clearly indicate the contents are toxic
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sometimes longer. Additionally, domestic and international quarantine systems need to be
implemented to ensure new introductions are prevented or managed before they spread. Without afinancial commitment that funds the entire process, eradication at site, island, provincial or national
scales will not be successful.
Currently the anticipated funding level, or commitment to fund any management plan, is unknown. This
confounds any attempt at development of a plan. Rather than recommending a response plan, options
will be presented as determined by availability of funds.

HUMAN RESOURCES
Staffs in partner agencies within Vanuatu (Biosecurity, Agriculture, Environment and Forestry) are welltrained, skilled and have the technical capacity to undertake eradication or management of LFA in
Vanuatu. However, these officers already have considerable workloads and cannot be expected toinclude additional responsibilities in their work programmes. Therefore, new positions dedicated to
managing project outcomes are needed. They will need to be supported with adequate infrastructure
including materials, supplies, vehicles and travel budgets.

A RESPONSE PLAN
Essential to implementing a response strategy, is a plan that includes provisions for controlling further
spread (prevention), delimiting, treatment, monitoring and public outreach. One key variable is the
anticipated level of funding as discussed in the previous section. A response can be categorized byproject outcomes and are usually shaped by the level of funding commitment:
Eradication
A successful eradication requires that every individual of an invasive species is detected and removed
from the target area. This control effort needs to be undertaken in conjunction with an effective
delimiting survey to identify all instances of the invasive species and a period of post-eradication
monitoring that establishes to a high probability that the invasive species has been successfully
eradicated. Eradication efforts also require a high degree of public awareness and cooperation coupledwith an active domestic and national biosecurity program that prevents new incursions and eliminates
new populations.
Aggressive control (objectives determine budget)
Programs utilizing an aggressive control strategy place more emphasis on reducing impacts of aninvasive species to levels that fall below an agreed thresh-hold. Additionally, all infestations are nolonger treated as equally important. Those infestations with a lower probability of vectoring further
spread, or infested sites where impacts are lesser, now have a lesser value than others.

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Long-term management (budget determines objectives)
A long-term management strategy may be comprised of: provision of technical assistance, research,
strategic control operations or any combination of these activities. The scope of efforts is governed by
the existing budget rather than specific control objectives and is usually aimed at providing the greatest
reduction in impacts with an externally determined allocation of resources.
No management
In some instances, there is no response to the presence of an invasive species. This can be for a varietyof reasons including a lack of defined pest impacts, insufficient resources, or an absence of effective
control options. The costs of not actively managing an invasive species are the future impacts (inperpetuity) of allowing further spread of the species.

DOMESTIC AND NATIONAL QUARANTINE
Quarantine systems are designed to reduce risks of pest and disease incursions at international borders
and to respond quickly to new incursions. For island nations, domestic (or inter-island) quarantine
systems can also be effective at preventing spread within a country. While Vanuatu has an effective(albeit poorly resourced) quarantine system in place, there is no provision for inter-island quarantine.
Thus, if an island-scale eradication project is implemented, there is no certainty that new incursions will
not re-infest pest free islands. Should eradications focus on an island-by-island approach, additional
quarantine systems will need to be implemented to maintain pest free status for individual islands.
For island nations, this can be difficult to implement. First, substantial resources are required and theseneed to be complemented by a high level of public cooperation. Additionally, it can be very difficult tomanage “grey” traffic between islands – small craft that do not necessarily depart from, or arrive at,regulated points of entry. Risks within this type of commodity movement can only be effectively
reduced through a strong public outreach and awareness program that results in a high level ofvoluntary compliance with quarantine provisions.

OPTIONS FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT AND RESPONSE
FACTORS DETERMINING EFFECTIVE TREATMENTManagement of Little Fire Ants is influenced by two main factors: site variables, and the biology of thespecies, which mostly hamper effective management.
Little Fire Ants thrive in regions with warm temperatures, regular rainfall and heavy shade. Vanuatu
experiences mild seasons with little variation in temperature, humidity and rainfall though the year.
Rainfall is year-round and differences in temperature between seasons are mild or moderate. This
contrasts with locations elsewhere which have climates that include periods of extended cool or dry
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weather. Ants living in mild climates such as Vanuatu are able to reproduce year-round rather thanhave bursts of colony growth followed by periods of nil growth due to conditions that are cooler or drier
than optimal. These factors provide Little Fire Ants with a competitive advantage and facilitate constantreproduction and colony growth.
Colonies of many ant species have only a single queen. The production of new workers is therefore
governed by the egg-laying capacity of just one queen. In contrast, Little Fire Ants have many queens –usually one queen for every 250-400 or so workers. Reproductive ability is not dependent on a single
queen and recovery from a catastrophic event (such as treatment with toxic baits) can be shared bymultiple queens. Colonies can recover from bait treatment in as little as eight weeks.
One trait that assists management efforts is that newly mated Little Fire Ant queens do not disperse byflight, preferring to stay with the parent colony. This limits natural spread to lateral colony expansion
which may be as little as tens of metres per year. Spread over longer distances requires humanassistance through transportation of colony fragments or natural events such as flooding which can
expedite downstream spread.
Effective treatment and eradication of Little Fire Ants therefore requires repeated application of baits atintervals less than the capacity of colony recovery. Frequent baiting is hampered by the fact that ants
surviving one treatment will associate the bait with its effects for some 4 or more weeks and refuse torecruit to new applications during that time. The time between treatment applications therefore needs
to be more than four weeks and less than eight weeks. Experience in Hawaii, which has a similar mild
climate, has demonstrated repeat treatments every 4-6 weeks over a 12 month period are needed forsite-level eradication. This needs to be followed by a post-treatment monitoring phase of at least three
years to ensure all colonies have been eliminated. Standard operating procedures, drawn from otherreports(14) are appended for reference.

CHOICE OF TREATMENT PRODUCTS
Most commercial bait products suitable for this species are manufactured in granular form. These baits
have the advantage of being easy to apply to the ground. However, for Little Fire Ants in tropicallocations, they have several disadvantages. First, these baits become inactivated once wet. Vanuatu
experiences frequent rainfall, especially during warmer months when ant activity is greatest. Second,arboreal (tree-dwelling) colonies do not necessarily leave their aerial homes to forage on the ground(11)and granular baits are difficult if not impossible to apply to vegetation. Finally, the baits are bulky andnot readily available in Vanuatu. The cost of shipping will further increase project costs.
The gel baits used during training and application to infested sites are less expensive, easy to apply tovegetation and have proven effective in Hawaii and now Vanuatu. These baits were applied to all
known infested sites in Luganville with excellent results reported by affected residents. Only two
ingredients need to be especially imported: the active ingredient (which can be supplied by a local pest
control company) and the emulsifier (which can be supplied via Hawaii). Although mixing the bait is an
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additional procedure, it is a relatively simple exercise. Aside from allowing treatment of arboreal
colonies, the gel baits are not inactivated by rainfall making them a better choice for use in theseenvironments.

OPERATIONAL FOCUS
Infestations can be managed at site, island, provincial and national scales, with a goal of eradication,
aggressive control, long-term management or nil response. The most appropriate response will be
determined by availability of funds and human resources and may contain all variables mentioned
above. Table 1 below outlines approximate efforts and costs needed to achieve desired outcomes.

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Table 1. Option matrix for managing Little Fire Ants in Vanuatu
Scale
Site

IslandProvince

Nationalb

Eradication• Material
cost
appr.
USD$500 per hectare plus
equipment• Requires ongoing site-levelcommitment by residents tofollow through• Provision of training andinstruction• Implementation of a local
quarantine
systemmanaged by residents
As above plus:• On-island coordinator withvehicleandofficeinfrastructure• Access to labour orcommunity assistance• Commitment to followthrough for 4-5 years• Island-wide
surveytoensure no new sites• Inter-island
quarantine
systemAggressive control
Long-term management• Annualmaterial
cost • Material cost USD$100USD$250-500 per hectare
250 per hectare plus
plus equipment, withequipment, per year withlower costs expected overcosts constant over timetime
• Continuing training andinstruction for residents• Provision of training andinstruction for residents
as infested area becomeslargerAs above plus:• On-island coordinator withvehicleandofficeinfrastructure, becoming
0.5FTE after year 2• Access to labour orcommunity assistance• Commitment to ongoing
follow-throughinperpetuity• Effective
publicengagement that detects
most new infestations andprevents new incursions
As above plus:
As above plus:• Budget for travel and on- • Budget for travel and onisland vehicleb
island vehicleb• Additional labour resources • Additional
labourresources• Province-wide survey toensure no new sites• Provincial
quarantine
system• Provincial
quarantine
systemAs above plus:
As above plus:• National coordinator• National coordinator• Office and travel budget• Office and travel budget• Strengthen
national
quarantine
systemif
possible

As above plus:• 0.5FTE
on-island
coordinator with vehicle
and office infrastructure• Ongoing training forresidents as infestations
increase• community supplies all
labour• newinfestations
managed as they are
discovered

As above• Provincial
coordinatormay be full time or
0.5FTE as neededb

As above plus:• 0.5FTE
national
coordinator• Travel in conjunction withother projects

On-island coordinator may not be needed
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Figure 2. map of Luganville Espiritu Santo, showing areas infested with LFA (refer to Appendix A for detailed maps)

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Figure 3, Map of Port Vila, Efate, showing locations infested with LFA
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REFERENCES
1. Holldobler B, Wilson EO. The Ants. USA: Springer-Verlag, 1990.
2. Theron L. Hypothèse d’une kératopathie liée à Wasmannia auropunctata, le modèle Polynésien [masters].
University de Liege, 2005.
3. Jourdan H. Threats on Pacific islands: the spread of the tramp ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Hymenoptera:
Formicidae). Pacific Conservation Biology 1997;3:61-64.
4. Fasi J, Brodie G, Vanderwoude C. Increases in crop pests caused by Wasmannia auropunctata in Solomon
Islands subsistence gardens. Journal of Applied Entomology 2013;137:580-88.
5. Andersen AN. A classification of Australian ant communities, based on functional groups which parallel plant
life-forms in relation to stress and disturbance. Journal of Biogeography 1995;22:15-29.
6. Armbreght I. The Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata (Roger) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) as a diversity
indicator of ants in tropical dry forest fragments of Colombia. Environmental Entomology
2003;32(3):542-47.
7. Souza E, Follett PA, Price DK, Stacy EA. Field suppression of the invasive ant Wasmannia auropunctata(Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in a tropical fruit orchard in Hawaii. Journal of Economic Entomology
2008;101(4):1068-74.
8. Ulloa-Chacon P, Cherix D. The Little Fire Ant Wasmannia auropunctata (R. ) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In:
Vander meer RK, Jaffe K, Cedeno A, editors. Applied Myrmecology A World Perspective: Westview Press,
1990:281-89.
9. Fabres G, Brown jnr W. The recent introduction of the pest ant Wasmannia auropunctata into New Caledonia.
Journal of the Australian Entomological Society 1978;17:139-42.
10. Ikin R. Cocoa tree-ant. Quart. Newsl. FAO Asia Pac. Plant Protect.Comm 1984;27:8.
11. Wetterer JK, Porter SD. The Little Fire Ant, Wasmannia auropunctata: distribution, impact and control.
Sociobiology 2003;41(3):1-41.
12. Vanderwoude C. Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) in Port Vila: Report to Secretariat of the PacificCommunity on activities 5-14th October 2007, and recommendations for future management: VCL New
Zealand, 2007.
13. Foucaud J, Orivel J, Loiseau A, Delabie JHC, Jourdan H, Konghouleux D, et al. Worldwide invasion by the little
fire ant: routes of introduction and eco-evolutionary pathways. Evolutionary Applications 2010:1-13.
14. Vanderwoude, C., Haynes, D., Richards, E., Quinquis, B. Moverley, D. and Skelton, P.A. Managing theimpacts of the little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) in French Polynesia. Secretariat of the
Pacific Regional Environment Programme, Apia, SAMOA, 2014.

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APPENDIX A. DETAILED MAPS OF DELIMITED LFA INFESTATIONS IN LUGANVILLE

Lavusvatu

Mango Station

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Pepsi

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Talua Ministry Training Centre

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APPENDIX B. DETAILED MAPS OF DELIMITED LFA INFESTATIONS IN PORT VILA

Fresh Wota

Lagoon area

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Ohlen

Teoma

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APPENDIX C. SCHEDULE OF IN-COUNTRY ACTIVITIES 17-28 AUGUST
16-17 August
Travel from Hilo Hawaii to Port Vila Vanuatu
18 August
Entry meeting with project managers
Meet with Project staff at Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation
Presentation to workshop participants:
5. Impacts of Little Fire Ants in Hawaii and Tahiti
6. History of LFA spread in the Pacific region including Vanuatu
7. Biology of LFA and the basics of control methodologies
8. Control and eradication options for LFA
19 AugustPractical training – mixing HAL gel bait
Practical training – application of gel baits to trees and ground
20 AugustMeeting with George Regenanu, operations manager of Ezzykill Pest control re future supply of chemicals,
application equipment and personal protective equipment
Training – Methods for managing GPS survey and treatment data, basic mapping and QA of treatment
operations
21 AugustField application of baits in infested areas (cancelled due to rain)
22 August (Saturday)
Presentation by C. Vanderwoude and L. Fatdal to professional pest control operators regarding impacts andimportance of reporting suspected LFA infestations
23 August (Sunday)rest
24 AugustTravel to Espiritu Santo
25 AugustMeet with project staff at Vanuatu Department of Environmental Protection and Conservation, Vanuatu
Department of Biosecurity and affected neighborhood residents.
Presentation to workshop participants:
1. Impacts of Little Fire Ants in Hawaii and Tahiti
2. History of LFA spread in the Pacific region
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3. Biology of LFA and the basics of control methodologies
4. Control and eradication options for LFA

26 AugustPractical training – mixing HAL gel bait
Practical training – Treatment of Solwei infested area
27 AugustField treatment of remaining infestations at Luganville
Exit meeting
28 August
Return to Port Vila,
Depart Port Vila

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Little Fire Ant Management and Control Training
Date : 25th

Aug 2015

Field Work: 26th/08/2015 Solwei, 27/08/2015 Lavusvatu, Pepsi, Mango Station & -28/08/2015 Talua
Venue : PWMU Conference Room, Centenary Church , SantoDate
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015
8/25/2015

Name
New Tangis
Vuti Takasi
Jojo Erickson
Simon Jack
Manford Genegle
Judith Damien
Jaymi Andy
Frank Norman
Tahe Tamath
Bibi Leonardo
Borang Henry
Nalsyn Kelep

Contact
55367175546335
53604675448227536378577436715457279596541577615275603029
7773808

Live & Learn Invasive Species
36807 Officer
5453889

8/25/2015 Warakar Ser
8/25/2015 Tony Rapick
8/25/2015 Ray Vilvil
8/25/2015 John Freddy

Organization
Sanma Sports Officer
South Santo Area 2 rep
Trainee, Biosecurity
Trainee, Biosecurity
Trainee, Biosecurity
Solwei Community Rep
Solwei Community Rep
Solwei Community Rep
Pepsi Community
Pepsi Community
Solwei Community Rep
Pepsi Community

rayvilvil@gmail.com/ 7777192

Luganville Environmental
Officerjkouback@vanuatu.gov.vu

Department of Agriculture,Santo

8/25/2015 Robinson Solomon

Department of Agriculture,5669715 Efate

8/25/2015 Philemon Ala

Assistant
Botanist,Department of
7726670 Forestry

8/25/2015 Sylverio Bule

Plant Health Officer,
5624447 Biosecurity

8/25/2015 Ethel Aru

Trainee, Department of
5481679 Forestry

8/25/2015 Maylene Muru

imuru56@gmail.com/ 5608289

Trainee, Department ofForestry

8/25/2015 Rinneth Kaltong

leahk323@gmail.com/548891

Trainee, Department ofForestry

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APPENDIX D. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR TREATMENT ACTIVITIESSTANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - APPLICATION OF GRANULAR BAITS TO CONTROL LITTLE FIREANTS

PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This standard operating procedure describes recommended methods for treating Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia
auropunctata) nesting on the ground or in vegetation under 1.5 metres in height. This standard operatingprocedure should only be used by persons who have undergone practical training in this activity.
INTRODUCTION
Little Fire Ants nest on the ground, around houses and other structures and in vegetation, including the canopyof mature trees. Treatment for control of colonies nesting on the ground or in low vegetation (less than 1.5
metres) is accomplished most easily with granular baits. For treatment of colonies nesting in trees andvegetation, please refer to the standard operating procedure for gel baits.
MATERIALS
•
•
•
•
•

Granular ant bait (see below)
Hand held or motorized bait spreader
Nitrile or latex gloves
Long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks (mandatory)3
Dust mask and eye protection (if desired)

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 2 kilograms per hectare. Most, but not all, granular baits manufactured for control of
Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) are suitable for control of Little Fire Ants.
Granular baits are mostly manufactured using similar ingredients for the bait matrix with the active ingredientdiffering from brand to brand. The matrix is comprised of corn grits and vegetable oil. The oil is soaked into thegrits resulting in light, fine granules 1mm – 3mm diameter. The product is usually a bright yellow color and has afaint odor of vegetable oil. Once the bait container has been opened, the unused product will degrade over3

Some bait products may have additional safety equipment mandated on the product label.
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approximately 3 months, eventually spoiling. Opened bait containers should be stored in a cool dry location.
unopened containers more than two years old are likely to be spoiled also. Bait that is spoiled will have a rancid
odor and should not be used.
APPLICATION
Two main application methods are used: hand-held spreaders and motorized blowers. There are also spreadersthat can be attached to tractors or ATV vehicles for treatment of larger areas.
Hand-held spreaders
These are available at low cost from hardware and pesticide stores. They feature a hopper for holding the bait,
a winding handle that agitates the bait and scatters it over the ground, and an adjustable aperture that is used
to calibrate output. These spreaders are also used to scatter seeds and fertilizer.

a – aperture adjustmentb –winding handle

Typical hand held bait spreader showing the winding handle (a), the aperture adjustment (b) and correct grip. Set theaperture at “1”.

With the aperture set at “1” (see above) the operator winds the spreader handle at approximately 60 rpm while
walking at 2-3 mph. The swath width thus created is approximately 4 yards. When applying the bait over thetarget area, an overlapping series of parallel swathes is recommended. This is accomplished by starting on one
boundary of an infested site and proceeding 1 yard 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, working around buildings and other obstacles (see below). Continuing this process, the designated area
can be systematically covered. It is important that all ground is treated including spaces between buildings andcorners of gardens. An additional sweep around buildings, garden edges and other structures isrecommended. Rainfall within 12 hours of treatment will reduce effectiveness so plan to conduct treatment
when rain is not expected for 12 hours.

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Example of a treatment path taken by an operator treating around an urban structure.
Improving the agitator
Ant bait is light and fluffy. Often it does not feed through spreaders evenly, and two main alterations should beconsidered: The agitator is the orange plastic “T” shaped device in the bottom of the hopper. This can easily bepulled out. Wrap a small cable tie around the stem and tighten the tie as tightly as possible. Then cut it downso an inch or so is left sticking out. The cable tie should wrap around the stem in an anti-clockwise direction
when viewed from above so when it is in the hopper, it is wrapped the way shown in the figures below. Cut thecable tie down to leave a one inch end after placing it onto the stem so it will be easier to tighten. This will assist
the bait to flow more evenly.

Cable tie ready for placement (left) with agitator re-attached (right)

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Holding the aperture adjuster open for long periods can cause discomfort and fatigue for operators. The trigger
can be locked in place simply by inserting a self-tapping screw through the assembly while holding the aperture
open at the desired setting. Usually #1 is sufficient, but a better position is half way between #1 and #2. Drill asmall pilot hole and drive a self tapping screw through the assembly so the trigger remains open.

Screw holding the trigger permanently open.

Motorized blowers
Motorized blower-misters can be used to cover large areas quickly and offer several advantages:•••

Blowers can project granular baits more than six metres
An operator can cover much greater area in the same time, andGranules can be blown into areas that are not easily accessible

Their disadvantages include high purchase costs, a requirement for gasoline and specialized maintenance,
additional weight and difficulty calibrating output. Several manufacturers produce these machines, with acommon one being made by Maruyama.

A Maruyama MD155DX blower-mister

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CHOOSING BAITS FOR CONTROL OF LITTLE FIRE ANTS
Many baits manufactured for control of Red Imported Fire Ants are effective against Little Fire Ants. However,some are not attractive to Little Fire Ants and these should not be used. Both the Hawai‘i Ant Lab and Dr Arnold
Hara of the University College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources have tested many baits available inUSA. Together, their research shows that baits containing methoprene or pyriproxifen as the active ingredient
are NOT effective against Little Fire Ants, while those containing hydramethylnon, indoxacarb and fipronil work
best. Below is a table of ant bait formulations that are attractive to Little Fire Ants and therefore recommended.
There may be other bait products available from other countries, however, use this as a guide for baits sourced
from the United States.
Some product formulations suitable for control of Little Fire Ants.

Product brand

Manufacturer

Active ingredientConcentration

EPA registration
number73342-2

Amdro Block®
Amdro Fire Ant
Bait®
Probait®
Advion fire ant
bait®
Siesta Fire Ant bait

BASF

Hydramethylnon
hydramethylnon

0.880%

ZoeconDuponthydramethylnon
indoxacarb

0.730%
0.045%

73342 -1-2724

BASF

Metaflumizone

0.063%

969-232352-627

Cautions
The active ingredients in ant baits may affect aquatic life to varying degrees. Extreme caution should be taken
when selecting and applying baits near water bodies, both salt and fresh water. It is recommended the LC50
(96hr) for Oncorhynchus mykiss or a similar measure be used to select the least toxic option for use nearwaterways. Further, operators should be trained and all label provisions for safe application should be followed
when using these products.

.

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - TREATMENT OF LITTLE FIRE ANTS WITH GEL BAITSPURPOSE AND SCOPE
This standard operating procedure describes recommended methods for treating vegetation and structures
within a designated outbreak of Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata). Little Fire Ants nest on the groundand in vegetation. This means all vegetation needs to be treated in addition to ground treatment. This standard
operating procedure should only be used by persons who have undergone practical training in this activity.

MATERIALS
•
•
•
•
•

Gel baits (see mixing instructions in separate operating procedure)
ZEP brand spray bottle or good quality 2 gallon pump-up sprayer
Nitrile or latex gloves
Long pants, long sleeved shirt, shoes and socks
Hat and eye protection

METHOD
The intent of treatment with gel baits is to ensure areas not adequately covered by granular baits are also
treated. Little Fire Ants are like to nest in trees, vegetation and even the crowns of coconuts. Worker ants fromthese colonies do not forage great distances and may not always reach the ground-applied bait granules.
The gel bait is made mostly from water and vegetable oil. It is the texture of ketchup and sticks to vegetation
when sprayed. 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 recommended application rate is 10kg per hectare
depending on how much vegetation cover is present. Rainfall within 12 hours of treatment could reduce
effectiveness, however, most of the gel baits will remain unless rainfall is very heavy.
Aim to produce spatters – small drops of bait between 5-10 mm in diameter, with at least one drop of bait every
30 centimetres.

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Bait applied to a banana leaf. Some of the droplets are highlighted with arrows, and ants can be seen feeding on thebait.

Every tree, shrub, structure building within the treated area will need to be treated as follows:
Trees
Vegetation under 6 metres in height can be treated from the ground. Shoot 1-2 squirts onto every limb, branchjunctions, hollows, areas with dead wood, areas where debris has collected and along branches. Large trees likecoconuts may need to be climbed. Go as high as it is safe to do so and apply several shots into the crown ofeach coconut, in foot holds and hollows of the trunk. If Little Fire Ants are seen, place additional amounts ofbait along foraging trails. The bait should be placed at approximately 1 meter intervals.
BananasBanana clumps are perfect habitat for Little Fire Ants. In infested areas, almost all the spaces between leaf axils
and the stem will house a small colony. Spray bait in the areas of the stem where green or dying leaves areattached. Also spray the trash around the banana clump and place some bait along fallen or cut trunks.

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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 spray across these with an even coverage of “splatters”. If a foraging trail isseen, 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 eachbuilding, placing splatters of bait every 30 centimetres or so. 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.
Spray tools
Gel baits can be sprayed with good quality squirt bottles (not the cheap kind). With these sprayer types, it ispossible to shoot a thin stream of gel 6-6 metres. This is very handy for spraying vegetation or covering larger
areas. As you depress the trigger, wave the wand or bottle in the air to form a shower of smaller droplets. ZEP
brand spray bottles work very well, however, different brands may also be available. Often these sprayers havea small filter at the bottom of the inlet tube. This needs to be removed prior to use.

Good quality spray bottles
Another way to spray larger areas is with a pump-up sprayer. The cheaper types do not work very well. Search
for a sturdy model with a wide (13mm) outlet hose that connects to the bottom of the sprayer. The pump
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FINAL REPORT September 2015
assembly must also be good quality as high pressure is needed. The Redmax brand sprayers work well. Make
sure the one you purchase has a metal wand or purchase a metal wand separately because it will need to bemodified as follows:First, hold the wand in a vice and bend until it snaps. This should leave it almost closed at the tip. Squeeze thetip almost closed with a pair of pliers or vice grips. You can drill two very narrow holes in the tip or leave it as it
is. Either way, it will need more crimping to get the spray pattern right. Experiment with a batch of blank gel
bait. You will need to adjust the tip until the bait squirts out in a nice thin stream. After carefully adjusting it,
this should be able to spray around 5-6 metres, or even further.
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE
The gel baits used in this standard operating procedure is viscous and oily. Equipment must be thoroughly
cleaned with an industrial degreaser to remove all residues inside the bottles, plungers and wands. If
equipment is not carefully cleaned on a daily basis, any remaining oil will harden and block the wand, nozzles
and other pump components. It is recommended to use a heavy-duty degreaser to thoroughly rinse the tankand spray through the nozzle until only clear soapy liquid emerges. Then rinse out old cleaner, re-fill with new
detergent and allow some to be sprayed through the wand. Leave the degreaser standing in the hoses, tank andwand, and thoroughly rinse immediately before the next time the sprayer is used.

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - MIXING GEL BAITS FOR CONTROL OF LITTLE FIRE ANTSPURPOSE AND SCOPE
This standard operating procedure describes recommended methods for mixing a Gel bait for control of Little
Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata). Gel baits are easier to apply to vegetation where ants frequently nest andare less affected by rain than conventional baits. This standard operating procedure should only be used bypersons who have undergone practical training in this activity.
INTRODUCTION
The Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) is very difficult to control. They have many small colonies, eachwith many queens, and will have nests on the ground as well as in trees and other vegetation. All these smallcolonies are inter-connected and if some die out, they are re-populated by neighboring colonies. One
management problem is that virtually all commercial baits consist of small granules. These are easy to spreadon the ground, but can not be applied to vegetation. If only the colonies on the ground are treated, neighboring
ants living in trees will quickly spread back to the ground. The bait granules are also inactivated by rainfall.
Once the granules become soggy, they are no longer attractive to ants. Tahiti experiences regular and frequentrain. In some locations it is difficult to predict if it will rain on any given day.
Contrary to popular belief, ants do not eat solids - they only consume liquids. Granular baits are made from corn
granules soaked with vegetable oil, and when a worker ant finds a bait granule, she sucks the oil out of the
granule and leaves the rest behind. Ants can consume a gel bait far more easily than a granular product, so intheory, gels should be more effective than granules.
Baits in liquid or gel form do not have the same limitations as granular products. They can be applied tovegetation where they will stick to the leaves and branches and are not affected as quickly by rainfall. They are,however, a bit more difficult to apply compared with granular baits. Also, gel baits suitable for control of Little
Fire Ants are not available commercially and need to be prepared before treatment can begin.
Pesticide regulations differ between countries, change over time, and in some cases, the use patterns describedhere may contravene these regulations. Before employing these methods, it is a requirement to consult withappropriate regulators to ensure they comply with local laws. Currently, the Service du Developpement Rural isthe agency responsible for administering pesticide laws in French Polynesia.
METHODINGREDIENTS
1. Toxicant
2. Corn, safflower or similar vegetable oil
3. Water
4. Xanthan gum
5. Peanut butter (creamy)or powdered liver
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6. Dye or coloring agent if desired
MIXING EQUIPMENT
1. 20 litre plastic bucket with tight fitting lid
2. Electric or battery drill
3. Whisk or paint mixer
4. Measuring jugs
5. Scales
6. Chemical resistant apron or similar
7. Rubber gloves
8. Eye protection

Choice of toxicant
The following pesticides have been used experimentally in gel baits against Little Fire Ants4

Product nameArilon®

Termidor®

Manufacturer

Active ingredientConcentration in productAmount productneeded per kg bait

Dupontindoxacarb

200 g/kg

6.0 grams

BASF

fipronil

91 g/kg (suspension concentrate)

0.5 grams

Vegetable oil
Most edible vegetable oils used in cooking appear to be suitable. It is easy to compare palatability of various oil
options be presenting foraging Little Fire Ants with a choice of several types and recording which type attracts
more ants.
Xanthan gum
Xanthan is an emulsifier and thickener used in cooking. Addition of this product is necessary to mix the oil andwater in a way that does not cause the ingredients to separate before use. It also mixes the toxicant with theoil. Normal xanthan gum is a powder and can be difficult to mix with water. Hot (60-70o C) water will mix a little
more readily. Bulk “rapid dispersal” xanthan gum is preferred and is much easier to mix. It is available from
Philoutlet, email philoutlet@gmail.com or phone +1 312 733 0000. Normal xanthan is available elsewhere
through health food stores and pharmacies.
4 Mixing and use of gel baits with these active ingredients may require approval from pesticide regulators

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Peanut butter
Any creamy or smooth variety is acceptable. The cheaper brands are best as they are already homogenizedmaking them easier to mix.
Coloring
It may be desirable to add food coloring or other edible dye to make it easier to observe where treatment has
taken place. However, colorings may also stain structures, concrete and plants.
MIXING PROCEDURE
This method uses quantities sufficient to make 8 kilograms of gel bait. Make the bait mixture the afternoon
before it is needed. The mixture will not keep fresh for more than 2-3 days.

•
•
•
•
•

Add 4.8 litres of water and toxicant to the bucket.
Mix with drill and whisk until thoroughly incorporated.
Slowly add 56 grams of xanthan gum to the water while mixing. Make certain to add the xanthan powder
slowly so that it does not form lumps. Continue to mix until a uniform jelly-like consistency is achieved.
Add 2.8 kg oil and 240g peanut butter. Continue to mix until all the oil is combined with the water and aconsistent color and texture is achieved.
Sometimes small lumps form in the mixture despite best efforts to avoid them. In this case, leave themixture overnight and mix again in the morning just prior to use.

Mixing devices
A battery or electric drill with a kitchen whisk or a paint mixer works best for mixing. The best type of drill is one
with higher speed (RPM). Standard type paint mixers work well. Others prefer a kitchen whisk modified to fit
into the drill chuck.

Remove this ring

Crimp this end
Mixing proportions
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amount of bait needed
ingredient

1 kilo2 kilo4 kilo8 kilo16 kilowater (ml)

600

1200

2400

4800

9600

Termidor™ (ml) OR
Arilon™
xanthan gum (grams)

0.5
6.0
7

1.0
12.0
14

2.0
24.0
28

4.0
48.0
56

8.0
96.0
112

60

120

240

480

725

1450

2900

5800

powdered liver or peanut butter 30(grams)oil (grams)
362.5

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STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE - SURVEILLANCE AND MONITORING METHODS FOR LITTLE
FIRE ANTSPURPOSE AND SCOPE
This standard operating procedure outlines procedures and specifications for detection, delimitation andquarantine inspection of commodities for Wasmannia auropunctata (Little Fire Ants).
INTRODUCTION
There are three main survey types: detection surveys, delimiting surveys and inspection for quarantine
purposes. (The standard operating procedure for quarantine inspection can be found in a separate document).
Each survey type has a different aim and the type of information that needs to be gathered is also different. In adetection survey, the objective is to determine if a site does, or does not, have an invasive ant. This is theeasiest type of survey to conduct because all that is needed to confirm presence of the ant is a single specimen.
In delimiting surveys, the purpose is to map the extent of an infestation. For quarantine detections, the goal is
to determine if a commodity is infested with the target species.
Detection of ants can be accomplished by several means including visual searches, placement of long term
trapping devices like pitfall traps or by placing lures of attractive food items within the survey area. The use oflures has several advantages for most survey types including low cost, ease of deployment and systematic
nature. Briefly, lures that are attractive to the target species are deployed in a grid pattern over the search area,
left exposed for sufficient time to be discovered by the target species, then collected and the specimens
identified by a trained taxonomist.
Little Fire Ants are consistently attracted to peanut butter, so this makes a good lure. Depending on the natureof the survey, there are two recommended lure designs: a bait stick, or a vial. Preparation of these two luretypes are detailed below.

PLANNING THE SURVEY
When planning the survey, work out the area to be covered 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. Contact sitemanagement at least a day before the survey to make sure you have permission to enter and arrange any passes
etc that might be needed. In the case of an airport or sea port, try to pick a time when no planes are expectedor ships are being loaded/unloaded. Also, plan to conduct the survey during clear weather when rain is notexpected.
LURE PREPARATION (BAIT STICK METHOD)
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When field identification is possible, or only a few specimens are anticipated, surveys can be conducted with thebait stick method. This is the most rapid survey method but is least accurate if detailed information such as ant
density is needed.
Materials
1. Disposable chopsticks (cut in half), disposable coffee stirrers or popsicle sticks
2. Bright-coloured spray paint
3. Smooth peanut butter
4. Zip-lock bags
5. Marking pen
6. GPS unit
Preparation and deployment
Paint both sides of the chopsticks or coffee stirrers with bright-coloured spray paint (this makes locating
deployed sticks much easier). Once the paint has dried, grab a handful of sticks and dip them into the jar of
peanut butter. Withdraw the sticks and place them into a zip-lock or other plastic bag with the peanut butter
end inside the bag. Pull the sticks out one by one as needed, making sure to leave only a thin smear of peanutbutter on each stick. Place the sticks in specified locations and at a spacing determined by the type of survey to
be conducted.
Collection
Leave the lures in the field for 45-90 minutes and then retrieve them. If the collector can identify Little Fire Antsin the field, take a GPS waypoint at every location where Little Fire Ants are detected. If the samples are to be
returned to the laboratory for identification, place the sticks individually into a zip-lock bag. Seal the bag, take a
waypoint and write the waypoint number onto the bag. This way, positive samples can be mapped after they
have been identified. Place samples in a freezer at -18oC until ready for identification.
LURE PREPARATION (VIAL METHOD)
When all samples need to be returned to a laboratory for identification, the vial method may be the bestalternative.
Materials
1. Clear plastic vials (30-60 CC) with lids.
2. Smooth peanut butter
3. Marking pen
4. GPS unit
Preparation and deployment
Its best to make only enough baits for a day’s 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.

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Smear a thin layer of peanut butter onto the inside of each vial. Replace the caps and store prepared samples ina carry bag ready to take into the field. Place the vials in specified locations and at a spacing determined by thetype of survey to be conducted.
Collection
Leave the vials in the field for 45-90 minutes and then retrieve them. Take a GPS waypoint at every location
where a vial has been placed and write the waypoint number onto the vial. Make certain to keep one collector’svials separate from other collector’s vials and ensure a record of waypoint numbers and GPS coordinatesaccompany the vials to the laboratory. This way, positive samples can be mapped after they have been
identified. Place samples in a freezer at -18oC until ready for identification.

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 patternover the entire area, placing protein baits and sugar baits alternately. The spacing between baits should bearound 10 paces for general detection surveys. It is not important to have the grids at exactly this spacing as
long as they are approximately correct. See Table 3 for survey specifications for different types of survey.
Sections of the survey site that are all concrete or asphalt do not need to be sampled because few ants nest inthese locations. Common ant habitats are listed in Table 4 and it is important that these are all sampled.
Bait vials should be collected 45-90 minutes after placement. It takes much less time to retrieve vials than it
does to deploy them. As a guide, teams should place vials for one hour, 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 out
for 60 minutes and the ones deployed last will have been exposed for about 45 minutes depending on ant
species. Try to plan out a route that will take you back to the point where you started – it saves extra walking.
Surveillance should not occur during or after rain when the ground surface is still wet, or on windy days. Also norain should fall 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 vials should be placed in the shade where possible. Remember the sun might have moved by the time youcollect the vials so place them carefully to avoid this. As a hint place your vials with the opening away fromprevailing wind and angle the entrance slightly to the ground. This helps prevent vials filling with water anddebris if you encounter a sudden down pour.
Any unusual ants (that look different from common established species) sighted while conducting surveillanceshould also be collected.

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Table 3. specifications for surveys
Detection survey

Delimiting Surveys

Commodity inspection

Methods

Vials

Vials or bait sticks

Bait sticks or visuallure spacing

200-400/ha, 1 vial 100/ha, 1 vial every
every 5-7m depending 10m. Once no ants
on available resources detected, switch to 1
vial every 5 m at least
20m beyond the limitsof detection

Visual inspection of 1%
of commodity or bait
sticks in 1-10% of pots
for potted plants

Frequency/ length Six monthly annually Immediately, if results As needed
negative follow up
of program(2 rounds per year)
every six months for 2
years
If results positive, treat
and monitor out todelimiting boundary
Buffer zone

50m

20m

Visual Surveillance

Very efficient in high density areas especially if surveyors are familiar withthe 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 bait stick.

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Table 4. list of common ant habitats
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.

Tree trunks (visual inspection and bait at base if appropriate)
Flowers and trunks of trees
Shrubs and poles
Building edges and foundations
Concrete slab edges
Cracked concreteDisturbed sites
Drains and culverts
Electrical generators and fittings
Exposed rocks
Fence palings
Grass areas
Verges
Hot water pipes and heaters
Isolated weeds
Logs
Loose gravel
Low vegetation (including grass)
Plant pot bases
Road margins
Rubbish piles
Soil
Tree crotches and hollows
Vertical surfaces
Weed and plant re-growth
Wooden structures
Underneath stones or concrete rubble

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