LOS ALAMITOS

With red fire ants already making inroads into the community, city officials unanimously endorsed plans by the state Department of Food and Agriculture to eradicate the pests. Colonies of the pest have been found on the Los Alamitos Race Track, which is right next door to the city in Cypress.

The agency has proposed dropping dry corncob granules treated with soybean oil and an insect growth regulator to control the stinging ants. The granules are safer for humans and the environment than pesticides that homeowners may buy in an attempt to control the ants on their own, city officials said. Since the agency said it needed public support for the measure, City Council members passed the resolution urging it to move forward with the plan.