They build large mounds, sometimes containing hundreds of thousands of ants. When something disturbs the mound, thousands rush out to inflict fiery stings. Much of the Deep South is now infested with these ants, but only Tennessee's southern tier of counties have been invaded so far. Vail and Roberto Pereira of the UT Agricultural Experiment Station are helping to monitor the progress of a microorganism that scientists have released in hopes that it will control the fire ants. The microorganism infects fire ant colonies and weakens them.
Workers transmit the organism to the queen through food exchange.
The disease slowly reduces her weight, and she lays fewer and fewer eggs. The eggs she lays are all infected with the organ ism. The organism can eliminate a colony in nine to 18 months. And it doesn't harm plants, animals or native ant species. Always wash them again after handling raw meat or poultry.