262 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 15 



Although these statements were made fourteen years ago and this 

 pest has been under observation in Mississippi during the years since 

 then, the writers do not feel that they can improve on Newell 's descrip- 

 tion of the injurious nature of this insect. As a prophet, however, he 

 was not quite so accurate in predicting that the Argentine ant would 

 not be likely to admit of remedial measures being as easily applied as 

 for the San Jose scale, gypsy moth and boll weevil. In our opinion the 

 remedy^ that has been developed for the control of the Argentine ant 

 compares favorably with the remedial measures that have been dis- 

 covered for any of the insects with which it was compared. 



The first Argentine ants were probably brought into Mississippi from 

 Louisiana over 20 years ago. Twelve years ago there were about a 

 dozen towns in the state that were known to be infested. The number 

 of infestations has gradually increased from year to year until at the 

 present time there are over forty different towns that are known to be 

 infested. There are probably more that have not been recorded, as 

 complaints seldom reach us until the ants have been present for several 

 years and have become firmly established. All the entomological 

 workers in the state have during the past year been on the lookout for 

 new infestations. The nursery inspectors always look for the Argentine 

 ant when inspecting nurseries, but so far this pest has not been found 

 in any nursery in the State. Of its own accord the ant spreads in all 

 directions only a comparatively short distance — not more than a few 

 hundred yards each year. It makes "commercial jimips." This 

 accounts for its appearance in practically all of the larger towns in the 

 state, and investigations indicate that the ant generally first becomes 

 established in a town near the freight depot or in the wholesale district. 



During the past two years the Plant Board in Mississippi has been 

 putting on Argentine ant control campaigns in cooperation with the 

 various towns. Usually we receive complaints in regard to this pest from 

 a few individuals and organizations. The people in the infested areas 

 want help. We notify them that upon request of the Mayor we will 

 send a man or two to make the preliminary siirvey at no cost to the 

 town. Of course, a prompt and cordial invitation is usually received 

 from the Ma^^or. We do not want to appear to be forcing ourselves upon 

 any community. If any disgruntled citizen does not like it because 

 we are looking for ants on his trees and fences, we can simply explain 

 that we are there at the request or invitation of the Mayor of the city. 

 In making the preliminary survey we map the limits of the infestation, 



iThe remedy is discussed in Farmers' Bulletin No. 1101 entitled "The Argentine 

 Ant as a Household Pest," by E. R. Barber. 



