Fire Ants In The 1940's

The 1940’s, the decade when the American agriculture industry was building back up from one of their lowest points. Yes, I’m speaking of the dust bowl, but little did they know the farmers and ranchers had yet another obstacle to prepare for that they probably would have never expected. The red imported fire ant was making its way into the United States. Once again, they would have to adjust to the new ways to run their industry. Originally, from the lowland areas of South America, red imported fire ants were introduced into the United States in the 1940’s. The fire ants spread over 100 miles a year in the 1940’s and 1950’s infesting all southern states east of Oklahoma and Texas, and south of
Virginia and Tennessee. The red fire ants are …show more content…
These natural predators still have not been imported to the United States. Although natural predators such as the parasite decapitating fly are not available to the public. Many farmers and ranchers do not know there are natural predators available on the retail market. The problem is these predators do not sustain themselves and cannot spread on their own once released. These predators destroy small imported fire ant colonies and will give them competition for nesting sites and resources. Currently, there are research trials that are biological control agents to provide killing off of the red fire ants. When natural predators are not an option many farmers and ranchers will elect to use pesticides. Pesticide approaches can be very expensive, not only in money but also in time. According to the University of California to properly treat crops with pesticide is an estimate of cost between12 million to 48 million dollars. Where no guarantee will be secured.
In conclusion, the American Agriculture industry has faced many obstacles in the