DETECTING LFA IN YOUR BACKYARD

Materials needed: Peanut butter, chopsticks, resealable plastic bag

STEP 1: Apply a thin layer of peanut butter on a chopstick and place in a shady area. Collect after 30 minutes.

STEP 2: Carefully pick up the stick and place them in a resealable plastic bag.

STEP 3: Determine whether LFA are present: 

1. Examine the ants. LFAs are 1/16” and are half the size of a sesame seed.

2. Are they red-orange to light brown? Are they as thick as a penny? Are they slow moving?

3. If you answered YES to any of these questions, you may have the little fire ant.

STEP 4: Place the resealable bag in the freezer for 24 hours to kill the ants. Samples can be submitted to the Biosecurity Division of Guam Agriculture to verify your ant’s identity.

For treatment options and further identification, call 475-7378 (PEST)