There are also several species of flies that attack workers and oviposit on the ant and cause the ant to die. Another bio control agent, a strain of fungal pathogen is, being the developed by Texas Tech University. The University of Texas and the United States Department of Agriculture are conducting research on the phorid fly as one of several potential biological control agents for helping to control fire ants. Some biological control agents that have already been marketed include predaceous mites, parasitic nematodes, and the fungus called, Beuveria bassiana. Scientific studies are being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of some of these natural enemies, but others remain untested or have not been shown to be highly effective when used as directed.
Any ground nesting bird, reptile or rodent is vulnerable when they are young and helpless.
There are two types of fire ants. One type has a single fertile queen like honey bees. The second type has multiple fertile queens all producing eggs. PPQ uses these funds in cooperative agreements with the states in their quarantine efforts. Several states have funded research in fire ants including the state of Texas.