The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has declared October as “Stop the Ant Month,” focusing on detecting and controlling invasive ant species in Hawai‘i. DLNR Chair Dawn Chang, who also co-chairs the interagency Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC), emphasized the significance of this initiative.
“Detecting and controlling invasive ants is one of the most important things we can do for our natural areas, our outdoor lifestyle, and our local economy,” Chang stated. “This campaign by HISC and our partners helps us understand where these ants are, and we mahalo our residents for taking the time to collect and submit samples from their yards and businesses.”
Among the targeted species is the Little Fire Ant (LFA), recognized globally as a major invasive threat due to its ability to form supercolonies with millions of stinging ants. LFA stings can cause painful, itchy red welts that persist for weeks. Pets stung in their eyes may suffer injuries leading to blindness. Unlike tropical fire ants that nest on the ground, LFAs are tiny orange ants measuring 1/16 of an inch long. They often sting when they fall from trees or vegetation onto people or invade homes and businesses due to large infestations.
Recent detections on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Maui underscore the importance of early resident reports in managing these infestations. Early detection allows for eradication efforts; even when complete eradication isn’t feasible, tools exist to suppress LFA populations significantly. Effective control measures can save communities millions in economic impacts.
The campaign also seeks to identify other invasive ant species like the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA). RIFA has caused extensive agricultural damage, infrastructure losses, and medical costs amounting to billions of dollars globally. The state prioritizes detecting new harmful ant species promptly to minimize long-term costs since these pests often hitchhike on imported goods.
Residents are encouraged to participate by requesting free ant-collection kits at www.StopTheAnt.org or making their own using household items. A one-minute instructional video on how to collect samples is available on the website. Collected samples should be frozen before submission for identification either by mail or drop-off at designated locations.
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