The imported fire ant was accidentally transported to the US sometime in the late 1920s or early 1930s in soil that was used for ballast in ships. There are two species included when talking about imported fire ants — Solenopsis richteri, the black imported fire ant, and S. invicta, the red imported fire ant. They are now found in 14 US states, Puerto Rico, Australia, Taiwan and China. Numerous other locations are at risk for fire-ant invasions. One estimate placed the annual damage in the US at approximately $6 billion. For the landscape professional, the imported fire ant may be an opportunity to add a new dimension to their business.
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