TAMPA, FLA. – In order to protect residents, especially children, from the threat that fire ants pose, Mayor Pam Iorio has proclaimed July 25 “Fire Ant Awareness Day” in Tampa. In conjunction, representatives of TruGreen Chemlawn and Bayer Environmental Science visited Madison Middle School, one of more than 220 Hillsborough County public schools that recently enrolled in the Bayer Fire Ant Free Schools Program, which allows qualified public and private schools significant reductions in the price of TopChoice once a year fire ant control.
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“Because fire ants are so common in the South, many residents do not take the precautionary measures that they should in order to protect themselves, their families and their pets,” said Greg Pagano, lawn and landscape market specialist, Bayer Environmental Science. “Because they often play outdoors and may unknowingly disrupt a mound, children are especially at risk of being swarmed by fire ants. I am happy that the School District of Hillsborough County has been able to take advantage of the Fire Ant Free Schools Program, which will ensure that students will be protected from fire ants for an entire year.”
The 2005 discounted rate is available to schools through Oct. 31.
Fire Ant Awareness Day is part of an educational campaign aimed at providing consumers with the knowledge they need to protect their families and pets. Leading entomologists, local lawn care and pest management professionals joined Mayor Iorio in promoting this cause.
“The damage and injury caused by fire ants can be avoided,” says Steven Martinez, TruGreen ChemLawn. “To protect children and pets, grounds managers and homeowners should consider a professionally applied preventative insecticide like TopChoice.”
“Hillsborough County public schools are home to almost 200,000 students, many of whom are susceptible to the threat of injury from fire ants,” says Richard Hall, assistant maintenance repair supervisor, Sites and Utilities Department. “We are committed to providing our students with an enjoyable, safe learning environment, and believe that by treating the grounds of each of our facilities, we will protect them from these potentially dangerous pests.”
TopChoice is a low-dose, non-bait granular insecticide that requires just one annual application by a licensed professional. It provides control of fire ants for one year, eliminating existing mounds and preventing new mounds from forming, Bayer reports.
TopChoice is a product of Bayer Environmental Science.