Efforts to eradicate a pest that has caused havoc in Hawaii, Florida and other parts of the United States, the little fire ants, will be a slow and long process.
A few weeks ago, the Land Grant Program at the American Samoa Community College began spraying the five areas on Tutuila Island where the little fire ants have been found.
According to entomologist Dr. Mark Schamaedick it will take up to a year to fully eradicate the ants which have a lasting and sore sting on humans.
Land Grant received help from the US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife Service to purchase bait and equipment from off island to spray the areas of infestation.
So far five have been identified.
The main area of infestation is Tafeta, and there are smaller ones in Pago Pago, two near Tafeta, and one in Aoloau.
Land Grant has been able to establish that the little fire ants were carried from the infested area in Tafeta to the other pockets through plants or lumber.
The little fire ant is much smaller than the tropical fire ant which first appeared in American Samoa 17 years ago. But its sting is similar in the pain and itchiness it causes.
The little fire ant often forages and nests in trees and this habit makes it a nuisance to farmers and gardeners who may get stung by numerous ants falling onto them.
The ant is also an aggressive predator and competitor attacking native ants and other insects, reptiles and baby birds.
Dr. Schmaedick asks residents importing vehicles, fine mats, plants or lumber from states where the little fire ants are rampant, like the Big Island in the Aloha State, to please be extra careful and check if there are any ants hitchhiking in their cargo.
And he urges the public to please be on the look out for the fire ants and to call the Land Grant Office at 699-1575 if you spot them anywhere.
