Classic case of an invasive species exploding in a new area that lacks
their natural predators. Though native to South America, Fire Ants are not
very common there as they are parasitized by a dozen species of Phorid Fly.
Texas has taken the plunge and introduced the fly to their state. I wish
they would hurry up and get here to SC.
Charlie
On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 3:25 PM, Tina Manley <tmanley@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> We have lots of fire ants in northern South Carolina. They haven't been as
> bad this summer because it's been so dry, but the rain really brought them
> out. Huge ant hills all over the farm. I hate them. One insect that
> doesn't seem to have any redeeming aspects.
>
> Tina
>
> On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 3:22 PM, Jim Nichols <jhnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > I'm not sure that these we have are really the "real" fire ant, but they
> > are a real pest. It has been a while since I examined them closely, so I
> > can't give appearance details.
> >
> > Jim Nichols
> > Tullahoma, TN USA
> >
> > On 10/9/2015 2:12 PM, Charles Geilfuss wrote:
> >
> >> I'm surprised you have them, Jim. I would have thought your winters
> would
> >> be cold enough to keep them in check.
> >>
> >> Charlie
> >>
> >> On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 3:01 PM, Jim Nichols <jhnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> I just noticed a fresh mound at my back property line. I guess I better
> >>> give it another try.
> >>>
> >>> Jim Nichols
> >>> Tullahoma, TN USA
> >>>
> >>> On 10/9/2015 1:58 PM, Charles Geilfuss wrote:
> >>>
> >>> They can only be managed, Jim, not eliminated. I regularly patrol
> my
> >>>> lawn
> >>>> and place poison bait on the nascent mounds. Helps if the neighbors do
> >>>> the
> >>>> same as it takes longer for them to move back in. Clemson University
> has
> >>>> been experimenting with a South American fly that hunts them and they
> >>>> are
> >>>> effective, but officials are rightly reluctant to introduce another
> >>>> non-native species. That plan often backfires.
> >>>>
> >>>> Charlie
> >>>>
> >>>> On Fri, Oct 9, 2015 at 2:50 PM, Jim Nichols <jhnichols@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> >>>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> As you know, Charlie, hardly anything can kill them. Commercial ant
> >>>>
> >>>>> poison doesn't seem to bother them.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Jim Nichols
> >>>>> Tullahoma, TN USA
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> On 10/9/2015 1:43 PM, Charles Geilfuss wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> One of the odd things to come out of this weather event. Around
> >>>>> here
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> we
> >>>>>> have a particularly nasty species of ant called Fire Ants. They were
> >>>>>> introduced into Texas from South America back in the 1940's and over
> >>>>>> time
> >>>>>> have spread all over the southeast. They are very aggressive and
> have
> >>>>>> a
> >>>>>> nasty bite that forms a pustule that is slow to heal. Any hope that
> >>>>>> this
> >>>>>> weather event would drown these suckers was dashed when someone saw
> >>>>>> this:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> http://abc7.com/weather/ants-form-floating-island-to-combat-flooding-in-south-carolina/1021709/
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Charlie
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> --
> >>>>>>
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> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
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> >>>
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>
>
> --
> Tina Manley
> www.tinamanley.com
> tina-manley.artistwebsites.com
>
> http://www.alamy.com/stock-photography/3B49552F-90A0-4D0A-A11D-2175C937AA91/Tina+Manley.html
> --
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>
>
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