United States

Department of

Agriculture

Animal and

Plant Health

Inspection

Service

Program Aid No. 1904

Imported Fire Ant 2007:

Quarantine Treatments for Nursery

Stock and Other Regulated Articles
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of 

race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income 

is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) 

should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, 

write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or 

call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by USDA over others 

not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available data and to provide specific information.

This publication reports research involving pesticides. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State 

and/or Federal agencies before they can be recommended.

CAUTION: Pesticides can be injurious to humans, domestic animals, desirable plants, and fish or other wildlife—if 

they are not handled or applied properly. Use all pesticides selectively and carefully. Follow recommended practices for 

the disposal of surplus pesticides and pesticide containers.

Issued December 2006

This publication supersedes “Imported Fire Ant 2005: Quarantine Treatments for Nursery Stock and Other Regulated 

Articles,” Program Aid No. 1822, issued May 2005.

Photo credits: Most of the pictures were taken by retired APHIS entomologist Homer Collins, who was also the 

author of the first brochure APHIS published on the imported fire ant. The remaining images come from the photo 

archives at APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology in Gulfport, MS. 

The current text was written by entomologist Anne-Marie Callcott, who works at the Gulfport lab.

This Program Aid is intended to supplement and clarify the Federal Imported Fire Ant Quarantine (Title 7, Code of 

Federal Regulations, Part 301.81), and the Imported Fire Ant Program Manual M301.81 (rev. April 2004), which 

is published by USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine. Approved 

quarantine treatments are subject to change. Always consult with your State Plant regulatory agency before applying 

quarantine treatments.
The Federal Fire Ant Quarantine .................................................................................... 1

List of Regulated Articles ............................................................................................... 2

Statutory Authorities Enabling Quarantine Action ......................................................... 4

Authorized Insecticides................................................................................................... 4

Approved Treatments

Used Earth-Moving Equipment ............................................................................. 6

Baled Hay and Straw.............................................................................................. 6

Greenhouse-Grown Plants...................................................................................... 6

Nursery Stock, Balled or in Containers.................................................................. 6

Grass Sod ............................................................................................................. 18

Bulk Soil............................................................................................................... 19

Soil Samples......................................................................................................... 19

Mitigative Measures...................................................................................................... 20

Protocol for Collecting Potting Media for Bulk Density Determinations .................... 21

Bulk Density Detemination Form................................................................................. 22

State Regulatory Officials............................................................................................. 23

USDA–APHIS, State Plant Health Directors ............................................................... 23

Contents

i

The Federal Fire Ant Quarantine

Provisions of the Federal Imported Fire Ant (IFA) Quarantine1 were invoked May 6, 

1958, in an effort to slow or prevent the artificial spread of imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren, S. richteri Forel, or their hybrids). IFAs are notorious hitchhikers 

and are readily transported long distances when articles such as soil, nursery stock, 

and other items are shipped outside the infested area. Figure 1 depicts the parts of the 

United States quarantined for IFA as of 2005.

The most recent IFA quarantine map is located at <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/

maps/fireant.pdf>, and a hard copy can be obtained by calling your local APHIS State 

Plant Health Director. See page 23 for a complete listing of State regulatory officials 

and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) State Plant Health Directors.

1

Quarantine 81, as amended (Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations [CFR], subpart 301.81).

Figure 1—Imported Fire Ant Quarantine map, July 2006.

1

Portion of county quarantined

Entire county quarantined

Imported Fire Ant Quarantine

PR

Consult your State or Federal plant protection inspector or

your county agent for assistance regarding exact areas under

regulation and requirements for moving regulated articles.

For detailed information, see 7 Code of Federal Regulations

301.81 for quarantine and regulations.

Restrictions are imposed on the movement of regulated articles from

the quarantined (shaded) areas into or through the unshaded areas.
The following regulated articles require a certificate or permit before they can be 

shipped outside the quarantined area:

1. Imported fire ant queens and reproducing colonies of imported fire ants.

2. Soil, separately or with other things, except soil samples shipped to approved 

laboratories (consult with a State or Federal inspector for a list of approved laboratories). Potting soil is exempt if commercially prepared, packaged, and shipped in 

original container.

3. Plants with roots and soil attached, except house plants maintained indoors and not 

for sale.

4. Grass sod (figs. 2 and 3).

5. Baled hay and straw that has been stored in contact with soil.

6. Used soil-moving equipment.

7. Any other products, articles, or means of conveyance of any character whatsoever 

not covered by the above, when it is determined by an inspector that they present 

a hazard of spread of the imported fire ant and the person in possession thereof has 

been so notified.

Certificates authorizing movement of regulated articles are issued by quarantine 

officials when certain approved procedures have been utilized to ensure that the 

regulated article(s) are free from imported fire ant infestation. See page 23 for a 

complete listing of State regulatory officials and USDA State Plant Health Directors.

List of Regulated Articles

2
Figure 3—Sod is frequently 

shipped from turfgrass farms 

inside the IFA quarantine area to 

places where fire ants have not 

yet become established. Regular 

field monitoring, approved 

treatments, and a close look at 

each outgoing shipment can help 

reduce the likelihood of spreading fire ants to new areas.

Figure 2—If operators are not 

observant, the use of mechanical equipment to harvest sod and 

stack it for shipment can contribute to the inadvertent spread of 

fire ants infesting the turf.

3
Legislation enabling USDA to promulgate an IFA quarantine is part of the Plant Protection Act of June 2000 (7 United States Code [USC] 7701 et seq.).

Statutory Authorities Enabling Quarantine Action

Insecticides listed in this document have been registered under the Federal Insecticide, 

Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA 7 USC § 135 et seq., 1972), as amended, or 

have been approved for use under an exemption (sections 18 or 24[c] of FIFRA). Instructions, precautions, and directions for use on the pesticide label must be carefully 

followed. As of May 2005, the following insecticides are authorized by USDA for the 

treatment of regulated articles under the IFA quarantine:

 Common name Trade name examples† Formulation(s)††

bifenthrin Talstar®, Bifenthrin Pro® G, F

chlorpyrifos Dursban®, Chlorpyrifos EC, W, G

diazinon Diazinon/D-z-n® WP, EC

fenoxycarb Award® Bait

fipronil Chipco® ChoiceTM; Chipco® Top ChoiceTM G

hydramethylnon Amdro®Pro; Siege®Pro Bait

methoprene Extinguish® Bait

pyriproxyfen Distance® Bait

tefluthrin Fireban® G

†A detailed list of insecticide labels is available on the Web at 

<http://cphst.aphis.usda.gov/sections/SIPS/Label_list.htm>.

†† WP and W = wettable powder, EC = emulsifiable concentrate, G = Granular, and 

F = flowable.

Authorized Insecticides

4
Figure 4—When containerized 

nursery plants are grown outside 

the greenhouse environment, 

there is potential for IFA infestation. 

Figure 5—Here, nursery 

workers are incorporating 

insecticide into potting media 

before the plants are inserted into 

containers—one of the approved 

treatment options for 

containerized nursery stock.

Figure 6—Here’s what a mature 

IFA mound looks like at ground 

level.

5
6

Approved treatments for the various categories of regulated articles are contained in 

this section.

Methods—Used soil-moving equipment is eligible for movement when an inspector 

determines that one of the following procedures has been accomplished:

• Equipment has been brushed free of noncompacted soil.

• Equipment has been washed free of noncompacted soil.

• Noncompacted soil has been removed with air pressure using specialized high-pressure equipment (200 lb/in2

, 30 ft3/min).

Certification Period—As long as kept free of noncompacted soil.

Limitations—Regardless of the type of cleaning equipment used, all debris and 

noncompacted soil must be removed unless the earth-moving equipment has been 

steam-heated by a “steam jenny” to disinfect it. Used soil-moving equipment, such as 

bulldozers, dirt pans, motor graders, and draglines, is difficult to clean sufficiently to 

eliminate pest risk.

Approved Treatments

Used Earth-Moving 

Equipment

Baled Hay and Straw

Nursery Stock, 

Balled or in 

Containers

Precautions—Steam may remove loose paint and usually is not recommended for 

use on equipment with conveyor belts or rubber parts.

Both baled hay and straw stored in direct contact with the ground are ineligible for 

movement.

Greenhouse-grown plants are certifiable without insecticidal treatment if the inspector determines that the greenhouse is constructed of fiberglass, glass, or plastic in such 

a way that IFAs are physically excluded and cannot become established within the 

enclosure. Slat houses, shade houses, or open greenhouses do not qualify as physical 

barriers. Plants grown in these structures must be treated with an approved insecticide 

before they can be certified for movement.

Method A, Immersion—

Equipment—An open-top, watertight immersion tank sufficiently large to accommodate the treating solution and plants will be needed. Drain plugs and valves will 

facilitate drainage after treatment.

Greenhouse-Grown 

Plants
Locate the immersion tank in a well-ventilated place. The location should be covered if 

possible. Do not remove burlap wrap or plastic containers with drain holes prior to immersion. Immerse soil balls and containers, singly or in groups so that soil is completely covered by the insecticidal solution. Plants must remain in the solution until bubbling ceases. After removal from dipping tank, plants may be placed on a drain board 

until adequately drained. Thorough saturation of the plant balls or containers with the 

insecticide solution is essential.

As treating progresses, freshly prepared insecticide solution should be added to maintain liquid level at immersion depth. Dispose of tank contents within 8 hours after mixing to prevent pH hydrolysis if water is highly alkaline. 

Precautions—Disposal must comply with all State and local regulations. Runoff of 

the solution from the treatment area should not be permitted. Excess solution (and used 

solution) must be disposed of in accordance with State and local regulations.

Pesticide—Emulsifiable chlorpyrifos (EC).

Dosage— 

Chlorpyrifos Amount of formulation to prepare

 formulation 100 gal treating solution

 4 EC 4 fl oz (118 mL)

 2 EC 8 fl oz (236 mL)

Exposure Period—Plants can be certified immediately upon completion of 

treatment.

7

Figure 7—Prior to being loaded 

onto pallets for interstate 

shipping, these balled-andburlapped trees were immersed 

in a tank of insecticidal solution 

to above the soil line to kill any 

hidden fire ants.
8

Certification Period—30 days.

Precautions—Wear rubber gloves, boots, and apron during this operation.

Note: Environmental factors significantly affect phytotoxicity. It is recommended 

that a small group of plants be treated at the recommended rate under the anticipated 

growing conditions and observed for phytotoxic symptoms for at least 7 days before a 

large number of plants are treated. Dwarf yaupon, some varieties of azaleas, camellias, 

poinsettias, rose bushes, and variegated ivy may exhibit phytotoxicity.

Method B, Drenching—

Equipment—

1. A large-capacity bulk mixing tank, either pressurized or gravity flow, for mixing 

and holding the insecticide solution

2. Properly equipped hoses and watering nozzles that can be attached to the mixing 

tank and used to thoroughly saturate the plant balls or containers with the insecticide solution (fig. 8)

For Plants in Containers—

Procedures—Apply either a bifenthrin, chlorpyrifos, or diazinon solution to the point 

of saturation one time only. The volume of the treating solution must be at least 1/5 the 

volume of the container.

Figure 8—This nursery worker 

is drenching containerized 

plants.
Insecticides and Dosages—

 Insecticide Dosage

chlorpyrifos (4EC) 4 fl oz 4EC per 100 gal water

chlorpyrifos (2EC) 8 fl oz 2EC per 100 gal water

diazinon (AG-500 or 50WP)† 1 pint AG–500 or 1 lb 50WP per 100 gal water

bifenthrin (flowable)†† 25 parts per million (p/m). See table below.

† Diazinon is registered under FIFRA, sec. 24(c), Special Local Needs, in some States. Check with your 

State regulatory official before using.

†† Dose rate for bifenthrin is 25 p/m based on dry weight bulk density of the potting media. See page 21 

for instructions regarding bulk density determinations. 

Potting media

bulk density† Oz bifenthrin/

(lb/yd3) 100 gal water

200 2.4

400 4.8

600 7.2

800 9.6

1,000 12.0

1,200 14.4

1,400 16.8

† See page 17 for instructions regarding bulk density determinations.

Exposure Periods—Plants are certifiable immediately upon completion of the treatment.

Certification Periods—

 Insecticide Certification period

chlorpyrifos 30 days

diazinon 10 days

bifenthrin 180 days

9
10

For Balled-and-Burlapped (B&B) Plants—Apply a chlorpyrifos solution (see 

dosage below) as a substitute for plain water to the plants during the routine watering 

activities after harvest but prior to shipment. Do not remove burlap wrap from plants 

prior to treatment. Treat plants singly or in groups with the chlorpyrifos solution to the 

point of runoff on a twice daily schedule for 3 consecutive days.

This treatment should be carried out in a well-ventilated place normally used to maintain plants prior to shipment. The treatment location should be covered, if possible. 

The treatment will be enhanced by adding any agricultural wetting agent or surfactant 

to the chlorpyrifos solution.

Insecticide and Dosages—

 Insecticide Dosage

chlorpyrifos (4EC) 4 fl oz 4EC per 100 gal water

chlorpyrifos (2EC) 8 fl oz 2EC per 100 gal water

Certification Period—30 days.

Method C, Topical Application—

Procedure—Bifenthrin flowable is the only insecticide and formulation registered 

for topical application. The method is approved only for treatment of nursery stock in 

3- and 4-quart containers. Prepare a mix with the appropriate amount of bifenthrin in 

1,000 oz of water based on container size and bulk density of potting media as shown 

in the chart below. Then apply 1 fl oz of the mix to each container evenly distributed 

over the surface of the potting media. Irrigate all treated containers with 1.5 inches of 

water following application.
Insecticide and Dosage—

Potting 

media bulk

 density† 

(lb/yd3) Oz bifenthrin flowable/1,000 fl oz water 

 For 3-qt pots For 4-qt pots

 200 3.6 5.2

 400 7.2 10.4

 600 10.8 15.6

 800 14.4 20.8

1,000 18.0 26.0

1,200 21.6 31.2

1,400 25.2 36.4

† See page 21 for instructions regarding bulk density determinations.

Certification Period—180 days.

Method D, Incorporation of Granular Insecticides Into Potting Media in 

Which Containerized Plants Are Grown—

Procedure—Use soil-mixing equipment that will adequately mix and thoroughly 

blend the required dosage of pesticide throughout the potting media.

Insecticide and Dosage—At press time (December 2006), three products are registered and approved for incorporation into potting media. Granular bifenthrin, granular 

tefluthrin, or granular fipronil may be used. Dosage is based on the bulk density of the 

potting media and the desired certification period. Dosage is expressed as parts per 

million (p/m) and calculated by the following formula:

 

 

11

 per cubic yard of media = (Bulk density of media × desired p/m)concentration of pesticide

lb of insecticide needed
12

Example #1—Assume that a potting medium that weighs 500 lb/yd3 is to be treated 

with granular bifenthrin (0.2 percent) at a rate of 25 p/m:

(500 × 0.000025) ÷ 0.002 = 6.25 lb of bifenthrin needed per cubic yard of medium.

Example #2—Assume that a potting medium with a dry weight bulk density of 

625 lb/yd3 is to be treated with granular tefluthrin (1.5 percent) at a rate of 25 p/m:

(625 × 0.000025) ÷ 0.015 = 1.0 lb of tefluthrin needed per cubic yard of medium.

Certification Period—Refer to the following chart to obtain certification period for 

a given dose rate.

Application Rates for Incorporation of bifenthrin, 

tefluthrin, or fipronil Into Potting Media

 Insecticide Dosage (p/m) Certification period (months)

 bifenthrin 10 0–6

12 0–12

15 0–24

25 Continuous† 

 tefluthrin 10 0–18

25 Continuous†

 fipronil 10 0–6

12 0–12

15 0–24

25 Continuous†

† If all other provisions of Fire Ant Free Nursery Program are met (see page 14).
Method E, In-Field Treatment for B&B Stock Prior to Harvest—

Procedure—This in-field treatment is based on a sequential application of fenoxycarb, hydramethylnon, methoprene, or pyriproxyfen bait followed by a 

broadcast application of granular chlorpyrifos (fig. 9). The combination treatment is 

necessary because broadcast application of chlorpyrifos (or other short-term residual 

insecticides) usually does not eliminate large, mature IFA colonies, and baits are not 

capable of providing a residual barrier against reinfestation by new queens. Therefore, 

the bait drastically reduces the IFA population while chlorpyrifos, applied 

approximately 5 days later, destroys any remaining weakened colonies and also 

provides a residual barrier against reinfestation by new queens for a minimum of 12 

weeks.

Apply bait with any granular applicator capable of applying labeled rates (1.0 to 1.5 lb 

of bait per acre). Calibration of equipment is essential, and most granular applicators 

cannot be accurately calibrated. A Herd® GT–77 Granular Applicator (Herd Seeder 

Co., Logansport, IN) is frequently used in conjunction with all-terrain vehicles or farm 

tractors to apply fire ant bait.

13

Figure 9—Field-grown nursery 

stock can be certified for shipment based on in-field treatments 

with baits used in combination 

with granular chlorpyrifos.
14

Apply bait only when ants are actively foraging. Read and follow the label carefully. 

At 3 to 5 days after the bait application, apply granular chlorpyrifos broadcast at 6.0 lb 

active ingredient (AI) per acre. Treatment area must extend at least 10 feet beyond the 

base of all plants that are to be certified.

Insecticides and Dosages—All baits are applied at 1.0 to 1.5 lb of bait per acre, 

and any approved bait may be used. Granular chlorpyrifos (any registered formulation) 

should be applied at 6.0 lb AI per acre.

Exposure Period—30 days. Plants are certifiable 30 days after the treatment sequence has been completed.

Certification Period—12 weeks; an additional 12 weeks of certification can be 

obtained with a second application of granular chlorpyrifos.

Method F, The Fire Ant Free Nursery Program (Containerized Plants 

Only)—The Fire Ant Free Nursery Program is designed to keep nurseries free of IFA 

and provides a basis to certify containerized nursery stock (fig. 10). The program has 

detection, control, exclusion, and enforcement components that, in combination, provide maximum control of IFA.

Participating regulated establishments must operate under a compliance agreement. 

Such compliance agreements shall state the specific requirements that a shipper agrees 

to follow in order to ship nursery stock in accordance with the requirements of the 

program. Components and requirements of the Fire Ant Free Nursery Program are as 

follows:

1. Detection—A successful treatment program depends upon early detection of IFA 

colonies. Nursery owners are required to survey the entire nursery premises visually 

twice a month for the presence of IFA.

Nurseries participating in this program will also be inspected by Federal or State inspectors at least twice a year. More frequent inspections may be necessary 

depending upon IFA infestation levels immediately surrounding the nursery, the manage-ment’s thoroughness in maintaining the premises, and the number of previous 

detections of IFA’s in or near containerized plants. Inspections by Federal and State 

inspectors should be more frequent just before and during the peak shipping season. 

Any nursery determined to have IFA colonies must be immediately treated to the extent necessary to eliminate all detectable colonies.
2. Control—Nursery plants that are shipped under this program must originate in a 

nursery free of the IFA (fig. 11). Nursery owners must implement a treatment program 

with registered bait and contact insecticides. The premises, including growing and 

holding areas, must be maintained free of the IFA. As part of this treatment program, 

all exposed soil surfaces (including sod and mulched areas) on property where plants 

are grown, potted, stored, handled, loaded, unloaded, or sold must be treated with a 

broadcast application of bait at least once every 6 months. The first application is more 

effective when applied early in the spring. An early spring bait application provides 

control before winged queens are produced or have time to establish new colonies. Follow label directions for use.

When properly used, baits provide 80- to 90-percent control of IFA colonies. Followup 

treatments with a contact insecticide must be applied to eliminate remaining colonies. 

Mound drench treatments with a registered formulation of chlorpyrifos or diazinon are 

approved. Read and follow label directions carefully.

3. Exclusion—

For Plants Grown on the Premises—Treatment of potting media with granular 

bifenthrin, granular tefluthrin, or granular fipronil prior to planting is required. The 

dosage rate is dependent upon the desired certification interval and pesticide used (see 

page 12). Apply this treatment according to label instructions.

15

Figure 10—State plant regulatory officials inspect nursery 

stock and enforce the Federal 

IFA quarantine.
16

For Plants Received From Outside Sources—To prevent the spread of IFA’s into a 

nursery formerly free of the pest by newly introduced, infested plants, all stock 

received from sources outside the nursery must be

• Obtained from other IFA-free nurseries that are certified under a compliance agreement; or

• Drench treated with bifenthrin upon delivery in accordance with pages 5–6 of this 

Program Aid, and within 180 days be either:

—Repotted in media treated with an approved granular formulation,

—Retreated with bifenthrin drench or immersion at 180-day intervals, or

—Shipped.

Figure 11—The new owners 

of these large palm trees can be 

confident that they were shipped 

from a nursery that used an 

approved treatment for IFA.
4. Enforcement—The nursery owner shall maintain survey and treatment records. 

These records shall be made available to State and Federal inspectors upon request. If 

IFAs are detected in nursery stock during an inspection by Federal or State inspectors, 

issuance of certificates for movement shall be suspended until necessary treatments are 

applied and the stock and premises are determined to be IFA free. A Federal or State 

inspector may declare a nursery to be IFA free upon reinspection of the premises. To 

ensure its effectiveness, this inspection must be conducted no sooner than 30 days after 

treatment. During this period, certification may be based upon the drench or immersion 

treatment provided on pages 6–10 of this Program Aid.

Upon notification by the department of agriculture in any State of destination that a 

confirmed IFA infestation was found on a shipment from a nursery considered IFA 

free, all shipments from that nursery shall be temporarily discontinued. An investigation by Federal or State inspectors will commence immediately to determine the probable source of the problem and to ensure that the problem is resolved. If the problem 

is an infestation, issuance of certification for movement on the basis of a “fire ant 

free nursery” will be suspended until treatment and elimination of the infestation are 

completed. Reinstatement into the program will be granted upon determination that 

the nursery premises are IFA free and that all other provisions of the Federal Fire Ant 

Quarantine (7 CFR 301.81) are being followed.

In cases where the issuance of certificates is suspended through oral notification, the 

suspension and the reasons for the suspension will be confirmed in writing within 

20 days of the oral notification of the suspension. Any person whose issuance of 

certificates has been suspended may appeal the decision, in writing, within 10 days 

after receiving the written suspension notice. The appeal must state all of the facts and 

reasons that the person wants the APHIS Administrator to consider in deciding the 

appeal. A hearing may be held to resolve any conflict as to any material fact. Rules of 

practice for the hearing will be adopted by the Administrator. As soon as practicable, 

the Administrator will grant or deny the appeal, in writing, stating the reasons for the 

decision.

Violations of the quarantine shall be investigated by Federal or State inspectors, and 

appropriate penalties will be assessed to discourage further violations.

17
This IFA Free Nursery Program is not mandatory for movement of nursery stock.

Certification may be granted on the basis of other treatments listed on pages 5–14 of 

this Program Aid. However, certification for movement under the IFA Free Nursery 

Program will be granted only if all of the provisions of this program are followed.

Certification Period—Continuous as long as all provisions of the IFA Free Nursery 

Program are followed.

Procedure—Apply a single broadcast application of chlorpyrifos with ground equipment (fig. 12) or apply two sequential broadcast applications of granular fipronil. 

Immediately after treatment, apply at least 1.5 inches of water to treated areas.

Grass Sod

Figure 12—Grass sod can be 

infested with newly mated 

queens as well as entire fire ant 

colonies.

18
Insecticides, Dose Rates, and Certification Intervals—

 Dosage rate Certification Exposure

 Insecticide (lb AI per acre) period (weeks) period

chlorpyrifos 8.0 6 48 hours

 fipronil 0.0125† 20 30 days

† Apply two applications 1 week apart for a total of 0.025 lb AI/acre.

Procedure—Bulk soil is eligible for movement when heated either by dry or steam 

heat after all parts of the mass have been brought to the required temperature.

Temperature—150 °F.

Certification Period—As long as protected from recontamination.

Procedure—Soil samples are eligible for movement when heated either by dry or 

steam heat after all parts of the mass have been brought to the required temperature. 

Samples of soil can also be certified by cold temperature (freezing).

Temperatures—

Temperature (°F) Exposure period

150 Until all parts of the mass reach 150 °F

–10 to –20 24 hours minimum

Certification Period—As long as protected from recontamination.

Bulk Soil

Soil Samples

19
The following measures are required to minimize impact of quarantine treatments on 

the environment and human health. Any person requesting certification to authorize the 

movement of regulated articles must adhere to these measures where applicable.

All applicable Federal, State, and local environmental laws and regulations must be 

followed.

Safety equipment and clothing, as specified by the label instructions, must be used and 

worn during treatments and during inspections.

Safety practices shall be communicated, and regulated establishment managers must 

require that on-the-job safety practices be followed.

All pesticides must be applied, handled, stored, and used in accordance with label 

instructions.

Empty pesticide containers must be disposed of in accordance with Federal and State 

regulations.

Pesticide remaining in containers after completion of an application must be 

retained and disposed of in accordance with label instructions and Federal and State 

regulations.

Oral or written warning must be provided to workers and the general public, indicating 

pesticide application areas during application and appropriate reentry periods.

Owners or managers of regulated properties must take precautions to limit access to 

treated areas by the public, livestock, and wildlife.

Mitigative Measures

20
Collect approximately half a gallon of potting media from five different locations 

around the “media pile.” Place all subsamples together in a heavy-duty plastic bag. 

Double-bagging may be necessary to ensure against breakage during shipment.

Fill out the Bulk Density Determination Form (see sample on the next page). If the 

media have been treated with any pesticides, please indicate that fact in the “Remarks” 

section of the form. Pack the sample securely in a cardboard box and include the form 

as mentioned above. Ship to:

USDA, APHIS, Plant Protection and Quarantine

Analytical and Natural Products Chemistry Laboratory 

3505 25th Ave., Bldg. 4

Gulfport, MS 39501

Protocol for Collection of Nursery Potting Media for 

Bulk Density Determination

21
22

NURSERY: 

MAILING ADDRESS: 

PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 

PHONE: ( )

DATE SAMPLE COLLECTED: 

RESULTS RETURNED TO ATTN. OF: 

BASIC MEDIA COMPONENTS: 

REMARKS: 

Bulk Density Determination Form
Alabama

Alabama Dept. of Agriculture 

and Industries

Plant Industry Section

P.O. Box 3336

Montgomery, AL 36109–0336

(334) 240–7239

Arizona

Arizona Dept. of Agriculture

Plant Services Division

1688 W. Adams

Phoenix, AZ 85007

(602) 542–0994

Arkansas

Div. of Plant Industry

State Plant Board

P.O. Box 1069

Little Rock, AR 72203

(501) 225–1598

California

California Dept. of Food and Agriculture

Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services

1220 N Street, Room A–316

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 654–0317

Florida

Florida Dept. of Agriculture and 

Consumer Services

Division of Plant Industry

1911 SW 34th Street

Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 372–3505, ext. 162

State Regulatory Officials

Georgia

Georgia Dept. of Agriculture

Plant Protection Division

19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., SW, Rm. 243

Atlanta, GA 30334

(404) 651–9486

Louisiana

Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture

P.O. Box 3596

Baton Rouge, LA 70821–3596

(225) 952–8100

Mississippi

Mississippi Dept. of Agriculture and 

Commerce 

Bureau of Plant Industry

P.O. Box 5207

Stone Boulevard

Mississippi State, MS 39762

(662) 325–3390

New Mexico

New Mexico Dept. of Agriculture

Bureau of Entomology and Nursery 

Industries

P.O. Box 30005, MSC3BA

Las Cruces, NM 88003

(505) 646–3207

North Carolina

North Carolina Dept. of Agriculture

 and Consumer Services 

Plant Industry Division

1060 Mail Service Center

Raleigh, NC 27699–1060

(919) 733–6930

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Dept. of Agriculture,

Food and Forestry

2800 N. Lincoln Blvd.

Oklahoma City, OK 73105–4298

(405) 522–5879

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico Dept. of Agriculture

P.O. Box 10163

San Juan, PR 00908–1163

(787) 722–5301

South Carolina

Dept. of Plant Industry

511 Westinghouse Road

Pendleton, SC 29670

(864) 646–2135

Tennessee

Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture

Division of Regulatory Services

Ellington Agricultural Center, 

440 Hogan Road, Porter Bldg.

Nashville, TN 37220

(615) 837–5338

Texas

Texas Dept. of Agriculture

P.O. Box 12847

Austin, TX 78711

(512) 463–1145

Alabama

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

1836 Glynwood Drive

Prattville, AL 36066

(334) 358–8568

Arizona

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

3658 E. Chipman Rd.

Phoenix, AZ 85040

(602) 431–8930

Arkansas

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

1200 Cherrybrook Dr.

Suite 100

Little Rock, AR 72211–3861

(501) 324–5258

California

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

650 Capital Mall, Ste 6–400

Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 930–5500

Florida

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

7022 NW. 10th Place

Gainesville, FL 32605–3147

(352) 331–3990

Georgia

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

1498 Klondike Rd., Ste 200

Conyers, GA 30094

(770) 922–9894

Louisiana

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

4354 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.

Suite 150

Baton Rouge, LA 70816

(225) 298–5410

Mississippi

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

Stone Blvd.

Room 106 Dorman Hall

Mississippi State, MS 39762

(662) 325–3140

New Mexico

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

6200 Jefferson St. NE., Ste. 130

Albuquerque, NM 87109–3434

(505) 761–3189

North Carolina

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

930 Main Campus Drive, Ste. 200

Raleigh, NC 27606–5202

(919) 855–7600

Puerto Rico

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

654 Munoz Rivera Avenue

Suite 700, IBM Building

Hato Rey, PR 00918

(787) 771–3611

South Carolina

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

9600 Two Notch Rd., Ste. 10

Columbia, SC 29223

(803) 788–0506

Tennessee

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

1410 Kensington Square Ct.,

Suite 101

Murfreesboro, TN 37130–6902

(615) 907–3357

Texas

USDA, APHIS, PPQ

903 San Jacinto Blvd., Ste. 270

Austin, TX 78701–2450

(512) 916–5241

USDA–APHIS, State Plant Health Directors

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