New threat to livestock in Texas

[Cyngbaeld]

http://urbanentomology.tamu.edu/ants/exotic_tx.cfm
It is called the Raspberry Crazy Ant and it can kill poultry by suffocation as great numbers fill the nostrils of the birds. Also a threat to other livestock doing the same. It has only been found in a few counties near Houston so far, but has potential to spread in the warmer counties. Be alert for it. Pay attention to the ants on your farm.

[Dazlin]

Thanks for the info!

[Wisconsin Ann]

geez. You guys in Texas can't win lately. Fire ants, raspberry crazy ants, drought, floods, hurricanes...what's next?

There doesn't seem to be much there for getting rid of them. Good luck, guys. Maybe guinea fowl or chickens will develop a taste for them.

[WstTxLady]

actually they are attracted to electronic things...if poultry or other things get in the way they can kill them but they aren't solely out for poultry unless they are robotic

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle3941545.ece

http://blogs.howstuffworks.com/2009/...rry-ants-work/

[Cyngbaeld]

I'll have to disagree with you on that. To many people, the fact that they are attracted to electronics may be of utmost importance and so they emphasize that aspect. In the country they look like they can cause some serious problems with livestock and crops.