Effective Fire Ant Management with Dr. Jason Oliver
In this webinar, Dr. Jason Oliver, a professor of entomology at the Tennessee State University’s Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center, discusses fire ant management strategies. He provides an in-depth analysis of the history, behavior, and impact of fire ants, including their invasive spread across the southern U.S. The presentation covers various control methods ranging from baits and insecticides to biocontrol strategies using decapitating flies and pathogens. Dr. Oliver also shares specific insights into handling fire ants in nurseries and addresses common questions regarding safe and effective treatment options.
00:00 Introduction and Speaker Introduction
00:07 Dr. Oliver’s Background and Research Focus
02:28 Overview of Fire Ants in the U.S.
03:18 Fire Ant Behavior and Impact
06:23 Fire Ant Identification and Safety Tips
14:16 Fire Ant Colony Structure
16:43 Fire Ant Management Strategies
25:04 Effective Use of Baits and Insecticides
28:59 Introduction to the Two-Step Program
29:28 Long Residual Program Explained
30:06 Cost and Labor Considerations
30:26 Alternative Fire Ant Treatments
31:24 Manual and Mixed Methods
32:27 General Tips for Ant Control
34:33 Biocontrol Methods
36:20 Pathogens Affecting Fire Ants
38:46 Nursery Treatment Research
39:29 Field Growing Treatments
40:32 Pre-Harvest and Post-Harvest Treatments
43:24 Individual Tree Treatments
46:49 Q&A Session
Dr. Jason Oliver, a professor at Tennessee State University, presented on managing imported fire ants, focusing on strategies to control these pests and ongoing research to improve quarantine protocols. Imported fire ants, native to South America, have become a major pest in the U.S., causing significant economic damage. Dr. Oliver explained the biology and behavior of fire ants, highlighting their aggressive nature and the challenges they pose, especially in nursery and agricultural settings.
To manage fire ants, Dr. Oliver recommended using baits and contact insecticides. Baits, which combine a food source with an insecticide, require ants to forage and bring the toxicant back to the colony. These are effective but need to be applied under optimal conditions. Contact insecticides, on the other hand, work by killing ants through direct contact or ingestion and can be applied more broadly.
Dr. Oliver also discussed the limitations of these methods, particularly the difficulty in eradicating fire ants completely, and shared insights into biological control efforts, such as the use of decapitating flies and pathogens. He provided practical advice for managing fire ants, including monitoring ant activity, choosing the right treatment, and applying methods safely around sensitive areas like homes and playgrounds.