Parts of SE Virginia under fire ant quarantine

Parts of southeastern Virginia are under a temporary quarantine aimed at preventing the spread of the red imported fire ant.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced the quarantine today. It applies to James City and York counties and Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach and Williamsburg.

Movement of soil, plants with soil attached and other items capable of transporting fire ants outside the quarantined area is restricted. Such items can be moved outside the affected area if they are certified to be free of the ants.

The agency says it has stopped treating fire ant colonies in the quarantined area and is focusing on other areas.