Red Imported Fire Ant Control for Texas Wildlife Management
Red imported fire ants are an invasive species capable of affecting native wildlife and wildlife habitat.
Lupine Land Services provides red imported fire ant management for Texas properties where targeted control is appropriate for the property’s wildlife objectives and management plan.
Why Are Fire Ants a Wildlife Concern?
Red imported fire ants can prey on insects and other small animals and can negatively affect certain ground-dwelling and ground-nesting wildlife.
Their ecological effects make fire-ant management relevant on some properties managed for native wildlife diversity.
However, predator management should be based on an identified wildlife-management need rather than performed indiscriminately.
Fire Ant Control as Wildlife Management
Texas recognizes predator control as one of seven wildlife-management practices.
TPWD wildlife-management materials specifically address management of imported red fire ants in wildlife areas.
Whether fire-ant control is appropriate for a particular property depends on the target wildlife, management objectives, infestation and applicable wildlife-management guidance.
Lupine’s Approach
Our objective is targeted management—not unnecessary pesticide use.
Lupine evaluates the wildlife-management purpose of the activity and can assist with an appropriate treatment strategy for areas where fire-ant control is warranted.
Activities may include:
- Identification of treatment areas
- Treatment planning
- Application using products appropriate and legally labeled for the site and use
- Documentation of treatment
- Follow-up observations when appropriate
- Integration with the property’s broader wildlife management program
All pesticide products must be used according to their current labels and applicable requirements.
Wildlife Benefits
Depending on the property and target species, reducing fire-ant pressure may benefit wildlife communities that rely on ground-level habitat and invertebrate resources.
Fire-ant management should be considered one tool within a larger habitat-management strategy rather than a substitute for habitat improvement.
Documentation
For wildlife-management clients, Lupine can maintain records of treatment activities for incorporation into annual wildlife-management documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are red imported fire ants considered predators for wildlife-management purposes?
TPWD wildlife-management materials include imported red fire ant management within predator-management guidance. Whether it is appropriate as a qualifying activity for a particular property depends on the property’s plan, target wildlife and applicable intensity standards.
Do fire ants harm birds?
Fire ants can negatively affect certain ground-nesting birds and other wildlife, although impacts vary with species, habitat and infestation level.
Should I eliminate every fire-ant mound?
The objective is not necessarily complete eradication. Wildlife-oriented management should focus on an appropriate ecological and management objective.
Can any pesticide be used?
No. Pesticides must be used according to current labeling and applicable law, and the product must be appropriate for the treatment site.
Can fire-ant treatment be documented for my annual wildlife records?
When fire-ant management is part of the property’s wildlife management program, treatment activities can be documented accordingly.
Red Imported Fire Ant Management
Contact Lupine Land Services to discuss whether targeted fire-ant control is appropriate for your property and wildlife-management objectives.