Quarantine Restrictions for Fire Ants and Hay Movement

I received a request from Dr. Marty Draper (NIFA, National Program Leader, Divisions of Plant Systems). He was asked to help get the word out about concerns for moving fire ants from quarantine areas in hay that is being sold into drought stricken areas of the country that may be vulnerable to fire ant establishment, particularly those states that are categorized as protected. The information below was provided by Drs. Draper and Charles Brown (Imported Fire Ant Quarantine Program Manager, USDA APHIS).

Baled hay and baled straw stored in direct contact with the ground are regulated articles in 7 CFR 301.81-2(c) of the IFA Quarantine.

For general information about the USDA Imported Fire Ant Quarantine: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/fireants/index.shtml
Fire Ant Quarantine Map 2011. The map for 2012 has not been completed yet.
You can check to see if you are in or out of the quarantine by zip code at: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/fireants/zipcode.shtml

What does this mean for hay growers inside the quarantine who want to ship hay outside the quarantine?

For baled hay that is stacked, all bales except the bottom layer that is in direct contact with the ground are not regulated and have no restrictions on movement. Hay that contains soil cannot leave the quarantine.
Bales that are in direct contact with the ground can move inside the quarantine without restriction.
Hay that is baled and shipped without storage is not regulated and has no restrictions on movement.

Below are some management practices that can be followed to keep fire ants from hay.

Apply a fire ant bait (insecticide) around the outside of hay storage areas.
Store hay on an impervious surface such as asphalt, concrete, or hard pan.
Elevate hay in the field onto a pallet, a tire, or a landscape cloth so it is not in direct contact with the ground.
If available, request an inspection by a state inspector to certify that the hay is free of fire ants.

What does this mean for those people outside of the quarantine who want to buy hay from inside the quarantine?

When placing the order ask the hay you buy not have fire ants, and visually inspect the hay bales when they are delivered to you. If possible, request that the hay be certified for movement by the State from which it is shipped.
If you find any ants contact your State and local cooperative extension office.