Wednesday, June 2, 2004

New Web site helps deal with fire ants

Just in time for the warmer weather and days spent outdoors, Bayer Environmental Science launched nofireants.com, a consumer web destination for those fighting fire ants across the South.

The Web site provides homeowners with information on all aspects of fire ant control, including university trials and research, product comparisons, fire ant identification, biology and behavior, testimonials from homeowners and professionals, and the best methods to control and prevent fire ants. The website also allows consumers to submit their zip code to find local lawn care and pest control professionals trained in controlling fire ants.

“This year, more than 20 million people will be stung by fire ants, often in their own backyards,” said Bryan Gooch, business manager, insecticides, Bayer Environmental Science. “At nofireants.com, homeowners can find the tools they need to reclaim their yards from these dangerous pests.”

The Web site encourages homeowners to call their local lawn care or pest control professional for advice on controlling fire ants. Only professionals can treat lawns with TopChoice, a revolutionary technology that provides unsurpassed control of fire ants for a full year with a single, professional application. TopChoice, a granular insecticide spread on the lawn like fertilizer, eliminates existing mounds and prevents new mounds from forming.

Fire ants pose a serious public health threat, especially to children and pets. It is estimated that fire ants sting more than 20 million people annually. Fire ant stings inflict pain, cause burning and itching, and can leave scars. While most stings are treatable, studies show that 10-15 percent of all people can have severe localized allergic reactions, and 1-2 percent can experience systemic allergic reactions, which, in rare cases, may result in death.

Fire ants currently infest more than 325 million acres across the southern United States, including Arkansas, Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas (and Puerto Rico). They are moving northward and westward into Arizona, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri and Virginia.