For release FA-APR-02

April 21, 2000
NEW CHEMICAL ADDS TO ARSENAL AGAINST FIRE ANT
Contact: Charles Barr, (979) 845-6800,c-barr@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION- A new, environmentally-safe chemical is dropping fire ants in their tracks. Studies done by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service fire ant applied research program have found that treating individual mounds with Spinosad, a fire ant bait from Dow AgroSciences LLC, will eliminate colonies within one week. Treatments over a broad area will begin to show results within two weeks. The chemical can control 80 percent to 95 percent of active mounds.

"Spinosad is a welcome addition to the arsenal of fire ant control products as a competitor of Amdro in the fast-acting bait category and potential addition to the very limited selection of effective organic treatments," said Dr. Charles Barr, Extension program specialist.

Spinosad is a natural and effective way to kill fire ants without harming other animals. The chemical is a combination of two compounds called spinosyns. Spinosyns are the products of fermentation of a soil bacteria. In 1999, Spinosad received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award which recognizes chemicals that reduce negative impacts on human health and the environment. Spinosad works by disrupting nerve impulse transmissions and is ideal for preventing resistance in the ants.

Like other baits on the market, spinosad works best when applied in the fall, while colonies are small and ants are actively foraging.

"It is more difficult for the bait to spread in the summer because colonies are large and the ants have more food available," said Barr.

Spinosad is currently labeled only for turf and ornamental uses, but may be available for pasture and crop in the future. The chemical is present in ant killers from Eliminator, Penn-Kill, Strike and Maxide brands.

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