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United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service
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Imported Fire Ants
USDA Agricultural Research Services Web site on area wide suppression of fire ants.

Fire Ant Impact and Damage

Agricultural:

  • Higher production costs

  • Increased risk of pesticides used to control fire ants
Fire ants eating the flesh of a blueberry.
Medical/Veterinary:

  • Sting people and pets

  • Attack livestock and wildlife
Pustules on human hand caused by fire ant stings.
Equipment:

  • Short out electrical equipment

  • Damage mowers and agricultural equipment
Imported fire ants infesting electric circut boxes and causing shortages.
Ecological:

  • Kill and eat ground-nesting birds and mammals

  • Destroy predators and parasites of pests
Pustules on human hand caused by fire ant stings.

Pie chart representing total annual losses of $5 billion to households, business, schools, government and institutions. Pie chart representing total annual losses of $750 million to agriculture.

Areawide Suppression of Fire Ants main menu

     
Last Modified: 03/19/2007
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