Fire Ants: No Magic Bullet on Horizon

People are talking about a recent news story on a virus that kills fire ants. But an entomologist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System says people should not get their hopes up that fire ants will soon be gone from the state.

“There is no magic bullet that is going to wipe out fire ants in the southeastern United States,” says Dr. Kathy Flanders. “The prospect of a disease that may help control numbers is great news. But the better solution for most people is to learn how to manage the fire ants in their yards.

"People spend too much time, too much money and too much effort controlling fire ants. If you understand a little about fire ants, you will find that they are easy to live with.”

Flanders says generally fire ant mounds can be eliminated on a particular site for a period of time.

“The problem is that reinfestation from surrounding, unmanaged areas will eventually happen,” she says. “Once fire ants and other predatory insects, including other ants, are eliminated from a site, reinfestation is easier. Controlling fire ants on a site is usually an ongoing effort.”

There are a number of good resources on managing fire ants.

She says people should talk with their county or regional Extension agents. They can provide people with information and publications on managing fire ants.

But people also can turn to a new Web site for the latest in fire ant management.

“There is also a great new online resource,” says Flanders. “eXtension’s Imported Fire Ants Web site puts a wealth of research-based information directly on consumers’ computer screens. It’s an excellent resource for anyone needing information about imported fire ants and how to control them.” To use the site, people can visit www.extension.org, then choose Imported Fire Ants. To take advantage of all the features eXtension offers, people should register with eXtension.

Flanders says this Web site can help people learn to manage their fire ant problems effectively.

“You will find out the most efficient and economical ways to control them,” she says.

Native to South America, fire ants first entered the United States between 1910 and 1930 through the port of Mobile. They have since spread across 13 states and more than 300 million acres. Their stings are familiar to most people living in the South.

Flanders says the United States probably has more fire ants than South America.

“We have no specific natural enemies to keep them in check like there are in South America,” she says.

Scientists are trying to establish a group of fire ant enemies in the United States, including several decapitating flies and a disease that attacks fire ants.

“Every enemy that is established, whether a fly, a virus or some other disease agent, will help make fire ants less competitive,” says Flanders. “This gives us hope that eventually we will have fewer fire ants.”

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Contact: Maggie Lawrence Communications Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System lawremc@auburn.edu 334.844.5687