Fire ant quarantine expands
The racing league is open to skiers and snowboarders alike. SMN photo
As of Jan. 1 the quarantine area for the imported fire ant will include Davidson, Orange and Vance counties, meaning that 75 counties will be included in the quarantine.
The quarantine area includes Macon, Graham, Clay and Cherokee counties but currently excludes much of the western and northern parts of the state. Jackson, Haywood and Swain are not part of the quarantine.
Under quarantine rules, a permit is required to move plants, sod and related equipment into or through non-infested areas. The imported fire ant was first identified in Brunswick County in 1957. As it spread and became established, it was recognized as an aggressive pest of farms, pastures, residential areas and wildlife. Its painful sting makes it a health concern to people, livestock and wildlife.
