Technical Abstract: The red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren is a serious invasive insect which is native to South America. Its presence was first reported in mainland China in 2005. To date it has been identified in four provinces in mainland China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Fujian) in a total of 30 counties and districts. The total area infested by S. invicta in late 2006 is about 7,120 ha, mainly in Guangdong Province (6,330 ha). Most of the reported human stings are in the heavily infested area around Wuchuan City. The most commonly reported reactions have been erythema, papilla or hives, pain and fever. It has been predicted that most of mainland China is viable habitat for red imported fire ants, including 25 of 31 provinces. The probable northern limit of expansion reaches Shandong, Tianjing, south Henan, and Shanxi provinces. Traditional and new insecticides including the bait N-butyl perfluorooctane sulfonamide and Yichaoqing have been developed and used to control S. invicta. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Chinese government have both attached the utmost importance to trying to eradicate and control the pest by establishing an 8-year eradication program (2006 to 2013). This program will play an important role in controlling S. invicta in China.