Texas Recognizes April 14 as Fire Ant Prevention Day

AUSTIN, Texas – To recognize the beginning of fire ant season throughout Texas, legislators have designated April 14, 2005, as Texas Fire Ant Prevention Day. Citizens statewide are encouraged to educate themselves about the human health dangers fire ants pose and the preventative measures available to combat the pests.

Since accidentally being imported from South America in the 1930s, fire ants have proved difficult to eradicate. A fire ant queen typically lays 2,000 eggs daily, and her lifespan can exceed six to seven years. As a result, fire ant colonies often reach a population of one-half million in a single colony, and up to 800 colonies can be established on a single acre. Without control, fire ants invade most lawns, parks and schools throughout the southern United States.

Early each spring, fire ants invade many public areas in Texas and the southern United States; they infest more than 80 million acres across Texas, mainly in the eastern two-thirds of the state. Nationally, the ants occupy 300 million acres, including parks, golf courses, school yards and residential lawns. In Texas alone, researchers estimate annual losses due to fire ant infestations at $300 million.

To mark Texas Fire Ant Prevention Day, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Susan Combs read the proclamation at the Texas Capitol and spoke on the facts regarding the threat of fire ants on public health and safety. Texas legislators also are encouraging citizens of the Lone Star State to contact their pest management or lawn care professionals to assist in the treatment of fire ants around their own residences.

“Fire ants are a significant health risk,” says Michael McDermott, global business manager for DuPont Professional Products. “In reviewing control options, it’s important to have fast and effective treatments in pest control arsenals, and DuPont™ Advion™ ranks among the quickest for knockdown and control.”

DuPont™ Advion™ fire ant bait is a new class of chemistry with a unique mode of action. It is a state-of-the-art treatment that, upon application, provides control of fire ants within 24 to 72 hours (most competitive baits require two to three weeks to work). Advion™ provides fast, long-lasting results with an excellent environmental profile. Advion™ received a reduced-risk classification from the Environmental Protection Agency.

“Our testing shows, with Advion™, timely treatment happens in a matter of days,” says Dr. Charles Barr, extension program specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension. “Upon treatment, foraging fire ants take granules into their colonies and feed it to developing larvae. Once this happens, the entire colony – including the queen – is quickly controlled, within 24 to 72 hours.”

And for homeowners throughout the southern United States, a simple call to their pest management or lawn care professionals means fire-ant-free lawns and turf grasses – and overall safer outdoor areas for children at play and family barbeques in the backyard.

“Fire ant stings should be taken seriously,” says Dr. Barr. “Surveys show about 2 percent of Americans are severely allergic to fire ant stings and require medical treatment. It’s important we have a fire ant bait like Advion™ that offers safe, timely and quick control of the pests.”