Foraging range of the polygynous form of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

We gathered data on the foraging range of a polygynous population of Solenopsis invicta Buren. An experimental design was devised that created plots of reduced ant activity (with treatments of insecticidal baits) alternating with plots that had normal levels of ant activity. The ability of fire ants to recruit into the plots of reduced ant activity was measured by placing bait stations along a transect at 12.2 m intervals. Our data indicate that to provide maximum suppression of foraging activity by polygynous fire ants around sensitive areas or objects, treatment areas or buffer zones should be at least 35-40 m in width.