- LFA were first detected in the Kalihiwai area in 1999. HDOA, KISC, and the Hawaii Ant Lab’s multiyear eradication efforts have proved promising with the last little fire ant detected at the site in January 2019.
- Kauai’s second known LFA population was detected in the Kilauea area in 2019. Treatment has been effective with the last LFA detected in March 2020
- In 2021, an LFA population was detected in the Moloaa area. Treatment is underway.
- In 2022, two new populations were been detected in Wailua and Koloa/Omao. Delimiting surveys are underway to determine the population size and perimeter.
- The Pono Endorsement program promotes Best Management Practices to help stop the introduction or spread of LFA. Pono Endorsed Nurseries and Landscapers are doing their part to another introduction of LFA by adopting Pono business practices that help keep LFA from hitchhiking to Kauai.
- You can help plant pono by reporting Testing for LFA and reporting LFA to KISC at 808-821-1490 or [email protected] or HDOA at 643-PEST. Report any suspected Little Fire Ants immediately!
We need your help Kauai! If we find them early, we can stop them before they take over. Testing is easy and a free kit is available at local libraries island-wide.
Kaua’i Locations where Free LFA Test Kits are available:
Free test kits can be found at any of our local libraries (Princeville, Kapaa, Lihue, Koloa, Hanapepe, and Waimea). LFA test kits are also available at:
- HDOA office on Pua Loke in Lihue
- KISC office, 7370 Kuamoo Rd, Wailua. Call us at 808-821-1490 or email [email protected]
- Alternatively, you can easily test for LFA using materials already available at home: all you need is some chopsticks, peanut butter, and a ziplock bag. Visit stoptheant.org for instructions and a short video on how to test.
*Farmers and large land owners, please contact KISC for larger survey kits
- Write your name, location, and phone number on bag, and mail or drop off bag to HDOA or KISC office
- HODA: 4398 A Pua Loke St, Lihue
- KISC: 7370 #K Kuamoo Rd, Kapaa
- LFA have a few look-a-likes:
For two decades, Kauai has done a great job keeping LFA at bay, but these are “hitch-hiker” ants that can arrive at any time. So we need to stay vigilant to watch for them. Finding these invaders early before they become established is critical.
What can you do? Test your yard for little fire ants!
Test your yard for LFA, submit the samples, and help stop the ant!
Any ants suspected to be little fire ants on Kaua’i should be collected and reported. Reports can be made to Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee (KISC), 808-821-1490 or Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), 808-643-PEST (7378).
Island-wide surveys: KISC and HDOA conduct island-wide surveys for little fire ants. Survey sites include gardens, nurseries, transfer stations, schools, and other high risk locations. Surveys are also conducted at various locations on Kauai based on the rapid response to calls about suspected LFA (stinging ants). Regularly surveying for little fire ants will help prevent them from becoming widespread on Kauai.
LFA Site Updates
Last updated 2023
| Site Name | Phase | First Detected | Last detected | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kahiliwai | Eradicated – long term monitoring | 1999 | 2019 | 11 acres |
| Kilauea | Monitoring | 2019 | 2023 | 2.5 acres |
| Moloa’a | End of initial treatment | 2021 | 2023 | 13 acres |
| Wailua | Response Planning | 2022 | 2023 | heli: 27 acres drone: 12.4 acres ground: 5.1 acres |
| Koloa / Omao | Response Planning | 2022 | 2023 | 52.15 acres |
| Princeville | Delimiting Survey | 2023 | 2023 | N/a |