$2.8 MILLION DESIGNATED TO HALT FIRE ANTS.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. The state will use $2.8 million in ``seed money'' to help local governments develop long-term fire ant fire ant Any of a genus (Solenopsis) of insects in the ant family, several species of which are common in southern North America. They are red or yellowish and can inflict a severe sting. The semipermanent nest consists of a loose mound with open craters for ventilation. control and eradication programs, agriculture officials said Friday. ``The only way, we feel, to eradicate it is at the community level with the state as an umbrella agency continuing to guide and assist the local communities to success in eradication,'' said Oscar Hidalgo Hidalgo, state, Mexico Hidalgo (ēthäl`gō), state (1990 pop. 1,888,366), 8,058 sq mi (20,870 sq km), central Mexico. Pachuca de Soto is the capital. , a spokesman for the California Department of Food and Agriculture California Department of Food and Agriculture, which was established in 1919 by the California Legislature,[1] works in partnership with the agricultural industry and other governmental agencies to regulate various aspects dealing with food and agriculture related . Red imported fire ant infestations were discovered in the state in October. The department identified 23 infestations in Orange County, as well as nests in southern Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. and Riverside counties. The ants can give painful stings and protect their nests or mounds aggressively. A public education campaign also will be launched to alert residents of heath risks from fire ant stings as well as how to eliminate the pests from their property. The agriculture department will continue plant quarantine enforcement and monitor areas to stop the spread of the ants. |
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