The Areawide Fireant Study consists of information gathered from 13 farms/ranches in 5 states infested with the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA).  The states included in the study are:

Information from these thirteen sites is sent in periodically relative to applications or on a yearly basis.  We are currently waiting to receive information back to form more estimates of cost versus benefits when applying deterrents to RIFA.  Below shows the areas infested with fire ants.

Objectives of the Areawide Model:

(1) Release and spread natural enemies for fire ants – decapitating flies and thelohania fire ant disease.

(2) Integrate use of baits and biological control to provide 80% sustained, areawide reduction of fire ants.

(3) Save at least $4 billion a year in cost of fire ant control and damage for agricultural producers, businesses, homeowners, government and military.

(4) Reduce reliance on repeated applications of insecticide for fire ant control.

(5) Restore ecological balance in the natural environment.

Specific Objectives for the Economic Analysis:

(1) Assess the costs associated with fire ants vs. the cost to maintain them within the scope of the study.

(2) Estimate the cost to farmers outside of the study to see if it would be worth it to apply the program everywhere