Culpeper County Extension staff warned the Board of Supervisors on June 3 about the potential for imported (Solenopsis invicta) fire ants to spread northward into Culpeper County and described current quarantine areas, inspection procedures and likely impacts on agriculture and recreational properties.

Ashley Appling, horticulture agent, said the imported fire ant had been reported largely around the Richmond area and Virginia Beach, and that a persistent colony was found near Charlottesville and Albemarle County; Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) maintains quarantines for affected counties. Appling said the quarantine affects agricultural operations, loggers, greenhouse producers and sod growers by requiring inspections and potential treatment before shipping regulated materials out of a quarantined county.

Appling noted potential impacts to parks, athletic fields and golf courses if infestations move north, saying treatment is possible but would present additional ongoing costs for property owners and managers. She said samples can be brought to the extension office for identification and that the Virginia Tech insect ID lab and VDACS would be notified if a sample warranted further action.

Board members asked about the current status near Charlottesville; Appling said the colony there has persisted into a second year. She reiterated that if a county is placed under quarantine, private property owners are responsible for treatment; outside quarantine zones, state inspectors currently handle treatments when identified.