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Hawaii Ant Lab

  • About
    • About us
    • What We Do
      • Research
        • Research Updates
        • LFA Bibliography
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    • Meet Our Staff
  • LFA Intro
    • Introduction
    • Identification
    • Biology and Ecology
    • Origin and Distribution
    • Impacts
    • Successful Invader
    • Bibliography
  • Survey LFA
    • How to Survey for LFA
    • Request a LFA Test Kit
  • Treat LFA
    • How to Treat LFA Around Your Home
    • How to Mix HAL Gel Bait
    • How to Treat LFA in a Plant Nursery
  • Resources
    • Handouts & Videos
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    • Ant Photo Gallery
    • How to Treat for Pest Ants
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    • Services We Offer
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  • FAQ
    • FAQ
Slide 1

Little Fire Ants

The first step in your battle against LFA is to “know thy enemy.” Learn about their unique biology and ecology.

LFA Background >>>

Slide 2

Scout out the enemy

Little Fire Ants are tiny and sneaky, and can go undetected on your property until their numbers are well established. Detect an invasion early with a survey!

Survey for LFA >>>

Slide 3

Defending the home

Learn how you can reduce the Little Fire Ant
problem in and around your home.

Treat for LFA >>>

Slide 4

Take a class

Learn pretty much everything you want to know about managing LFA around your home at one of our FREE monthly Ant Management Clinics.

Sign up >>>

Slide 5

Farm visits

We offer FREE farm visits to help with survey and treatment strategies
for the prevention and treatment of Little Fire Ants or other pest ants.

Contact us >>>

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Welcome to the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab

The Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, a program of the University of Hawai‘i Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, is dedicated to increasing knowledge about invasive ant biology, management, and eradication.

Our Mission >>>

What We Do

Research

We study invasive ants and develop new methods to manage them. This is an ongoing process that makes HAL the leading agency on LFA management strategies in the world.

Learn More

Extension

We educate stakeholders on preventing the spread of invasive ants and provide best management strategies based on our research.

Learn More

Operations

We survey ports of entry, green waste facilities, nurseries, and other high risk areas for invasive ant species, as well as participate in LFA eradication efforts throughout the State.

Learn More

Ant Management Class

Once a month, Hawaiʻi Ant Lab conducts a FREE half-day class for residents and other interested persons. This class covers ant management basics from theory to practice and includes sessions on Little Fire Ant biology, how to survey, mixing and using gel baits, and pretty much everything you want to know about managing Little Fire Ants around your home.

Currently, we are holding the class on-line through Zoom on the last Thursday of every month. Register to obtain the Zoom link.

Take a class

News

A 175-acre little fire ant infestation on Maui has reached a turning point; eradication is in sight

Hawaii Ant Lab
October 27, 2023

by Maui Invasive Species Committee Photo Credit: MISC Photo Credit: MISC Photo Credit: MISC Recognized as one of the 100 worst invasive species in the world, little fire ants (LFA) have an unsavory reputation in Hawaii, and for good reason. These undersized ants sting people in their homes, blind pets, and wreck agriculture. The success…

Continue Reading A 175-acre little fire ant infestation on Maui has reached a turning point; eradication is in sight

October is “Stop the Ant Month”

Hawaii Ant Lab
October 18, 2023

October is “Stop the Ant Month” in Hawaiʻi and a multi-agency effort throughout the month will encourage residents to collect and submit ants from their properties to help detect and control the spread of invasive little fire ants (LFA) and other harmful pest ants that may be new to the state. LFA is considered among…

Continue Reading October is “Stop the Ant Month”

How to Modify a Jacto Sprayer

Hawaii Ant Lab
March 7, 2023

When it comes to applying HAL (Hawaii Ant Lab) gel bait, there are several spray equipment options available. Your choice of spray equipment will depend on how much gel bait you will be applying and your budget. If you are applying less than a gallon, a Zep 32oz. Bleach Resistant spray bottle is an effective,…

Continue Reading How to Modify a Jacto Sprayer

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Connect With Us

hawaii_ant_lab

Want to learn how to control Little Fire Ants (LFA Want to learn how to control Little Fire Ants (LFA)?

Join us for our next FREE LFA Management Clinic on Thursday, Nov 30th from 4-5:30PM held on Zoom.

Register today and learn about the best practices for controlling LFA around your home, which baits are available and most effective, and how best to apply them for long-term results.

Can't make it? Don't worry! We hold these virtual clinics once a month.

Visit our website to register: https://littlefireants.com/take-a-class/
Do you know the difference between Little Fire Ant Do you know the difference between Little Fire Ants and Tropical Fire Ants (a.k.a red ants)?

Often times when we warn Hawai‘i residents about Little Fire Ants, a common response we get is “what’s the big deal, we have had red fire ants for as long as we can remember?” 

Yes, we have had red fire ants in Hawaiʻi since the 1800’s, but these are actually a different species from the more recently introduced Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata). The red fire ants are called Tropical Fire Ants (Solenopsis geminata). It can be confusing because both species have a similar common name – fire ants – but in actuality they are very different.

Tropical Fire Ants are originally from the southern part of mainland United States. You will often find their nests in lawns and other open spaces. If you look at them closely, the workers vary in size and some have really large heads. Overall, they are much larger than Little Fire Ants. Tropical Fire Ants are about half as long as a penny is wide, while Little Fire Ants are only about as long as a penny is thick.

If you accidentally step on a Tropical Fire Ant nest, they will most likely sting you on your feet or lower legs. The sting results in a well-defined welt, like a bee sting. With Little Fire Ants, you are much more likely to be stung on the torso or the arms because they nest in trees as well as on the ground. When you bump or disturb these trees, the ants will fall down and get caught in your clothing. When you feel the sting, often the ants are already gone. It feels like a burning rash that can be as big as your hand, but often smaller.
Hold down on video to pause and read.
Once Little Fire Ants (LFA) become established on Once Little Fire Ants (LFA) become established on your property, their numbers can grow to massive sizes!
Little Fire Ants lurking around your yard looking Little Fire Ants lurking around your yard looking for free handouts? 

Make sure to offer them a **special** treat - ant bait!

Happy Halloween from the Hawai'i Ant Lab!
Wondering how many peanut butter sticks you should Wondering how many peanut butter sticks you should place around your yard to test for Little Fire Ants? Well, it depends if you want to do a complete survey or a “quickie” survey!

Get your FREE ant test kit from www.stoptheant.org.
Want to learn how to control Little Fire Ants (LFA Want to learn how to control Little Fire Ants (LFA)?

Join us for our next FREE LFA Management Clinic on Thursday, Oct 26th from 8:30-10AM held on Zoom.

Register today and learn about the best practices for controlling LFA around your home, which baits are available and most effective, and how best to apply them for long-term results.

Can't make it? Don't worry! We hold these virtual clinics once a month.

Visit our website to register: https://littlefireants.com/take-a-class/
The most common way LFA are spread in Hawai’i is The most common way LFA are spread in Hawai’i is through infested plants, cuttings, and foliage. Every time you bring home a new plant, make sure to test it for Little Fire Ants (LFA)!

Get your free ant test kit at www.stoptheant.org.
Need ants identified or some treatment advice? Com Need ants identified or some treatment advice? Come on down to our office located at 16 E. Lanikaula St. in Hilo. See you soon!
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Make a Donation

Your donation will contribute to tackling the invasive ant issues faced by Hawaiʻi by supporting our research, extension, and field operation programs.

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Hawaiʻi Ant Lab

Hilo Office
Department of Agriculture
16 E. Lanikaula St.
Hilo, HI 96720
808-315-5656

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Kona Office
CTAHR Extension Center
79-7381 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Kealakekua, HI 96750
808-209-9014

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Honolulu Office
Hawai’i Ant Lab
41-698 Ahiki St.
Waimānalo, HI 96795
808-824-1366

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All photos are the copyrighted property of the photographer. Logo image credit: Eli Sarnat.
If you would like to use a photo on this website (personal or commercial), please contact us for permission.

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