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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #185235
Title: THE IMPORTED FIRE ANTS AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

Author
item Pereira, Roberto
item WILLIAMS, DAVID - UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
item DAVIS, TIMOTHY - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item Oi, David
item BOLTON, HERBERT - USDA/CSREES
item HORTON, PAUL - CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
item WILLIAMS, GLEN - U.S. EPA

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/22/2005
Publication Date: 10/17/2005
Citation: Pereira, R.M., Williams, D.F., Davis, T.S., Oi, D.H., Bolton, H.T., Horton, P.M., Williams, G. 2005. The Imported Fire Ants and Their Management. Quail Workshop Proceedings. 49-66. Arcadia, Fl. October 13-14, 2005.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Imported fire ants (IFA) cause many problems for humans, domestic animals, and agriculture. Imported fire ants are very aggressive, build conspicuous mounds, and have a sting that gives a burning sensation. IFAs have also had a major impact on wildlife and their effects on quail populations can be severe, both as direct and indirect effects such as reduction of life span, changes in foraging, and reduction of food. There are many chemical products available for the control of IFAs including chemicals for broadcast and individual mound applications. However, self-sustaining biological control agents offer more as long term solutions for the fire ant problem. They include protozoa, fungi, viruses and the parasitic decapitating flies in the genus Pseudacteon. Sustainable fire ant management depends on use of varied control measures combined with ongoing evaluation and periodic adjustments in management tactics.