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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
  • Ants of HI
    • Ant Photo Gallery
    • How to Treat for Pest Ants
  • Services We Offer
    • 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

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

Connect with us!

Hawaii Ant Lab
October 5, 2022

We are excited to share that you can now connect with us on social media! Follow us to learn more tips and tricks on how to prevent, survey, and control for Little Fire Ants and other pest ant species. Check us out by clicking on one of the profiles below:

Continue Reading Connect with us!

Little Fire Ants: A Global Perspective

Hawaii Ant Lab
September 18, 2022

Have you ever wondered what the deal is with Little Fire Ants (LFA)? Where did they come from? Where are they going? What’s all the fuss (they’re just ants anyway, right)? Why are these Little F****g Ants EVERYWHERE and I didn’t even know?! WHY CAN’T THERE BE A SIMPLER WAY TO CONTROL THEM FOR HEAVEN’S…

Continue Reading Little Fire Ants: A Global Perspective

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Connect With Us

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When treating for Little Fire Ants, follow these t When treating for Little Fire Ants, follow these tips!
If you will be spraying more than a gallon of Hawa If you will be spraying more than a gallon of Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL) gel bait, we recommend using a Jacto HD400 sprayer. 

The Jacto HD400 is a lever-type sprayer with a 4-gallon capacity. It uses an external lever to operate an internal piston pump. This type of pump is very effective at shooting a stream of HAL gel bait up to a distance of 30 feet. 

Compared to a Zep spray bottle, the Jacto HD400 sprayer holds a larger quantity, is less prone to clogging, can spray the HAL gel bait a further distance up into the trees to target Little Fire Ant colonies, and eliminates the hand ache and fatigue from the repetitive motion of pulling the trigger of a spray bottle. 

To be able to spray the thick, pudding-like consistency of the HAL gel bait, you must make the following modifications shown in this video to your sprayer.
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 Ant Management Clinic on Thursday, February 23rd 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/
If you like baking, mixing up Hawaii Ant Lab gel b If you like baking, mixing up Hawaii Ant Lab gel bait is as easy as whipping up a batch of brownies!

Find the gel bait recipe on our wesbsite: www.littlefireants.com

Make sure to read the pesticide label carefully before starting and put on proper personal protective equipment (PPE) including chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection, long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and closed-toed shoes plus socks.
There are a number of baits available on the marke There are a number of baits available on the market to control Little Fire Ants. Which bait is right for you?
Toxicant Baits vs Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) Ba Toxicant Baits vs Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) Baits - How do they work?
Granular vs gel baits - what's the difference? Granular vs gel baits - what's the difference?
Ant baits are the recommended first-line treatment Ant baits are the recommended first-line treatment for the control of Little Fire Ants (LFA). Read on to learn about how they work!
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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
Department of Agriculture
1428 South King St.
Honolulu, HI 96814
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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