Landscape Management, June 2010
PHOTO BY DANIEL G JACOBS NEWS VIEWS CHANGES IN FIRE ANT TREATMENT According to Charles Barr Barr Research Consulting the approach to dealing with fi re ants has changed over the years Heres a look at a few of the differences LANDSCAPEMANAGEMENT NET JUNE 2010 10 continued from page 9 fi re ants live says Dr Charles Barr Barr Research Consulting Its believed they arrived in the ballast of ships sometime during the 1920s and became widespread starting with the rise of the highway system in the 1940s Hawaii has yet to see them but is afraid the pests could reach the states shores Internationally China and Australia also have fi re ant problems New Zealand has spent millions of dollars to deal with the issue and has found only three mounds Research has found that about 15 of humans have a local allergic reaction which can cause pain and discomfort Of that population about 25 suffer systemic allergies anaphylactic shock Clemenzi says Of the more than 300 million fi reant infested acres in the U S fewer than 500000 are treated Until last fall homeowners treated nearly 75000 acres themselves using a product called Over n Out But the U S Environmental Protection Agency recently pulled the registration of that product giving lawn care professionals a huge new market Barr says The product is still on the shelves and legal to use but is no longer being manufactured When its gone he points out there will be no consumergrade solutions to treat fi re ants Clemenzi concluded his presentation to biological service providers by discussing how lawn care professionals can use science to affect fi re ant biology to produce a healthy safe and beautiful environment at a profi t of course Both Barr and Clemenzi suggest using a combination of products But he advises with about 150 products labeled for fi re ant control lawn care professionals need to sell their professionalism With a built in sprinkler adjuster and wire cutter you can now do more in less time Razor sharp ultra tough and all day comfortable the new BP 3670 cuts up to 1 and itll turn heads for years to come coronaclipper com 800 847 7863 1 Individual mound control 2 Remedial response 3 Speed is most important 4 Product centered 1 Broadcast control 2 Proactive response 3 Duration of control and prevention are most important 4 Program centered OLD WAY NEW WAY Charles Barr explains the latest fi re ant treatments
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