Posted on 06/19/2022 4:16:52 PM PDT by Scarlett156
(audio)
Scientists say they've figured out at least part of North America's invasive, imported fire ant problem by turning a virus that kills them into a weapon.
A group of researchers from Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina universities said in their new study, published in the print edition of the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology this month, that they successfully reduced wild Florida populations of imported fire ants. The ants reduce nearby biodiversity, so the team used a virus called Solenopsis invicta virus 3 to kill them.
"Laboratory tests have shown that Solenopsis invicta virus 3 may be an effective natural control agent against its host, the red imported fire ant," the so-authors wrote.
The Washington Post says both the imported red and black fire ants are native to South America and were introduced in the 1930s.
(Excerpt) Read more at futurism.com ...
No, because ants are important as part of the food chain, as ground aerators, as seed carriers and as the clean-up crew for carcasses and detritus. And ants eat each other, as well as other insects, so if you destroy one species, you’ll end up with more of their other species and more of the other insects.
Now go gobble some cockroaches, please, Formicidae.
What can go wrong?
Well, lots of things.
I think it is terrible idea, given how much trouble our lab rats bring to us.
Yes.
Sounds to me somebody was already working on that with NIH funds. Maybe 3 years ago? Maybe with bats?
Use Covid 19 vaccines, they worked on us!
I’m sure it will work out as well as manipulating bat viruses.
Nothing that the left can't blame on Donald Trump and global warming.
Are you sure it wasn’t Aunts? 😋
Fauci & his Wuhan scientists are perfect for this job...
Give them lots of money...
What could go wrong?
Probably bad but there are no more quail in my area because fire ants kill the eggs/hatchings. People raise hundreds a year to release to keep them around but fire ants kill the yearly cycle. Fire ants need to go away. Need something.
With the coming economic disaster, maybe we can hire an army (old CCC) days to go find and kill every last fire ant mound.
Fire ants are natures way to prevent termites on your home. They also dont go indoors seeking sugar. They are natures yard dogs for worse things in your home. . Leave them alone, watch were you stand or sit.
Bkmk
Skinner: Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.
Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?
Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!
Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.
What’s wrong with ants?
There was no sarcasm tag.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/cornmeal-in-the-garden.htm
Using Cornmeal Gluten to Kill Ants Cornmeal gluten is also a popular method to control ants. Pouring it wherever you see ants traveling is the best option. They will pick up the gluten and take it to the nest where they will feed on it. Since the ants cannot digest this cornmeal product, they will starve to death. It may take up to a week or so before you see your ant population dwindling. Tip: If you have large areas to cover, you can try a spray form for ease of application. Apply every four weeks, or after heavy rains, during the growing season to maintain effectiveness.
Read more at Gardening Know How: Cornmeal As Weed Killer And Pest Control: How To Use Cornmeal Gluten In The Garden https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/cornmeal-in-the-garden.htm
That reminds me.
I gotta get out and poison a desert red ant hill.
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