The American Samoa Community College Agriculture, Community and Natural Resources (ASCC-ACNR) Division recently launched a public awareness campaign to educate residents about the ongoing containment and eradication efforts targeting the Little Fire Ant (LFA), an invasive species that continues to threaten the territory’s environment and agriculture. Through media interviews, community outreach, and educational materials, the campaign aims to keep the public informed about the risks posed by LFA and the importance of preventing its spread.

The campaign follows the discovery of Little Fire Ants at the ASCC-ACNR Land Grant facility in February 2026. Investigations indicated that the ants likely arrived hidden in coconut husks brought in from an infested area for use in potting mix. Because the Land Grant program regularly distributes potted trees and vegetable seedlings to the public, immediate action was taken to prevent the ants from spreading to new locations.

As part of the containment response, the distribution of trees and vegetable seedlings from affected Land Grant facilities was temporarily suspended while staff and researchers began treatment and eradication efforts. Tree and vegetable production in the impacted greenhouses was also halted, although the sale of vegetable seeds and operations at the Auto and Amanave greenhouses have continued. These precautionary measures were implemented to protect the community and ensure that infested materials are not inadvertently transported elsewhere.

A key message of the awareness campaign is that human movement of plants and agricultural materials remains the primary way LFA spreads across the island. Residents are encouraged to exercise caution when transporting potted plants, taro planting materials, banana suckers, lumber, firewood, and other items that may harbor ant colonies. By increasing public understanding of these risks, ASCC-ACNR hopes to reduce the likelihood of new infestations.

While the temporary suspension of some Land Grant services has affected programs relied upon by many residents, ASCC-ACNR remains committed to protecting American Samoa’s natural resources and agricultural future. Officials emphasize that community cooperation is essential to successful eradication efforts and encourage residents to stay informed, follow prevention guidelines, and support ongoing efforts to eliminate Little Fire Ants from the territory.