It's Invasive Species Awareness Week! Tackling red imported fire ants

Feb. 27 – May 3 is National Invasive Species Awareness Week, and today’s focus is the aptly-named fire ant. The impact of red imported fire ants in the state of Texas is estimated to be $1.2 billion annually. Red imported fire ants are pests of urban, agricultural and wildlife areas and can pose a serious health threat to plants and animals. The goal of the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project is to find effective methods to eliminate this invasive species as a major economic and medical pest. Read more at the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project…
Pest ants like the red imported fire ant could be controlled more effectively with insecticide baits that can withstand moisture, say researchers with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS). A comparison study soon to be published in Journal of Economic Entomology shows a water-resistant ant bait offers a significant advantage over currently available baits, which break down when wet. Read more at Science Daily…