The biology and mating habits of red imported fire ants are different from screwworms. Even if the same (sterile male) technique were possible to use with red imported fire ants, the ability to raise, sterilize and make timely releases of high numbers of sterile male ants has not been developed. Fire ant colonies can produce mating flights from individual mounds all year long, usually after every rainy period. Male winged reproductive fire ants live for only a short time. The best alternative is to sterilize the queen by broadcasting insect growth regulator baits.