A plan is in place to start eradicating little fire ants from an East Maui property where a tenant denied state agricultural officials entry.

The state Department of Agriculture obtained a court-ordered warrant to enter the property near Hana Highway in Huelo and a subsequent inspection confirmed the area has little fire ants.

The department said the incident marks the second time in the past 16 years that a court order was required to eradicate an invasive species on private property.

In 2000, similar legal action was taken during the eradication of the banana top bunchy virus on Hawaii island.

Department Director Scott Enright said the inspection, conducted Monday, found fire ant infestations in kalo patches and potted plants on the 1.75-acre property. The ants have also been found on neighboring parcels.

Over the past year and a half, Enright said, the Maui Invasive Species Committee and the Hawaii Ant Lab have been working with neighbors to eradicate the pest.

Eradicating the alien ant, which can nest in trees, has been difficult, he said. Inspectors have to look in tree leaves as well as inspect the ground for their presence — and the little fire ant dispenses a painful sting that leaves red welts and can blind pets.

Enright said after an initial treatment, which is scheduled for next week, a team of state agricultural workers will be back in about six weeks to inspect the property and perform another treatment.

Native to South and Central America, little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) were first detected in Hawaii in 1999, when an infested area was discovered in the Puna area on Hawaii island. The ants have since spread to Oahu and Maui.