Fire Ant Hazard: Hay shortage may help spread imported fire ants

摘要

In drought-stricken areas short on hay, growers may literally face another sting next slimmer: Imported fire ants spread beyond the current USDA quarantine zone. These tiny, aggressive red or black ants construct large dirt mounds and inflict painfulstings in mass when disturbed. They make it miserable for animals to graze and growers to haul hay bales; their mounds also damage mowers. Imported fire ants already infest much of the Southeast and parts of the Southwest that are under a long-standing quarantine. Regulated products, including hay, must be free of fire ants if transported beyond the quarantined area that splits some states, including Arkansas and Tennessee, in half.