Central Texas ranchers load up on info to combat fire ants and grasshoppers

By JULIET BRISKIN | Central Texas Edition

Chris Sansone, Extension entomologist, discusses fire ant and grasshopper control at the Beef and Forage field day in Llano on June 6. -Staff photo by Briskin

June 13, 2002 -- One of the functions of the Texas Cooperative Extension Service is to educate farmers and ranchers about the latest innovations that will help them run their operations. On June 6, the Llano County Extension office hosted its 17th annual Beef and Range Field Day.

During the afternoon session Extension entomologist Chris Sansone addressed participants on fire ant control and the return of the grasshopper. He began his discussion by addressing fire ant baiting. "The only products that are labeled for pastures are Amdro, Justice and Extinguish," he stated. "When you go and buy insecticides those labels mean something. A bait for fire ants will say 'bait,' not 'killer' or 'granule.'"

According to Sansone bait is specifically designed to attract the ants and get them to take the particle back to the mound where the insecticide can do it's job. The attractant is generally soybean oil or vegetable oil.

Products that are marked 'granule' are simply particles of clay with insecticide ex-plained Sansone.

"When you use granules you have to have a rain to activate the product," he said. "The ants are not attracted to the product. The granule stays where it is dropped and to kill the ant it must be activated with water and then the ant must come in contact with it."

Sansone explained that each of the baits have their pros and cons. Amdro, he stated, is one of the faster acting baits that provides full control in about six weeks. "The disadvantage that we see is reinfestation behind Amdro pretty quickly," he said. "It's not that you didn't kill what was out there, it is that other ants came in."

While a fire ant infestation inside the home is rare, Sansone explained that Ascend is the only fire ant bait that is labeled for indoor use.

According to Sansone, Fipronil is a new product that is getting a lot of attention. "The reason this product is getting so much attention is that it offers about a year's amount of control, he stated. "As a bait it is sold as Firestar and as a granule it is sold as OverN'Out."

Sansone pointed out that the purpose of a bait is to get the ants to take the insecticide back to the queen. He pointed out that some baits, such as Justice, may kill the ants too quickly. "Typically we suggest that people use Justice in the fall," he said. "Following the quick knockdown of the ants you then get the impact of the winter. Justice just looks a lot better in that situation."

For a fire ant bait to work the ants must be interested in foraging. One way to find this out is by taking a spoonful of bait, place it next to a mound and watch what the ants do. "Never, never kick open a mound," said Sansone. "All it does is tell the ants that they are under attack and they move on to a new location."

According to Sansone if ants are actively foraging they should be on the bait within 30 minutes. "If they are on the baits in 15 minutes I will guarantee you success with the baits," he said. "Typically I tell people to treat in May and again in September."

In Central Texas grasshoppers are currently on everyone's mind if not in there fields. Sansone stated that spraying a month ago would have greatly reduced the number of grasshoppers currently being seen. "The problem with grasshopper control is the expense," he said. "But the bigger the area you control the better control you will have."

Sansone explained that the main thing that controls the grasshopper population is fungus. The problem right now is to activate a fungus there needs to be a substantial amount of rainfall. "That is what is killing us right now," he said. "We cannot get a sustained rainfall pattern right now."

Randy Maenius of the Farm Service Agency (FSA) spoke to participants about the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This is a federally funded program that helps producers reduce their risk when growing speciality crops, food and fiber crops and crops for livestock feed. The program only covers those crops that are not covered by the catastrophic level of crop insurance.

To be covered under this program there are three basic things a producer must do. First, an application for coverage must be made along with a $100 payment. Second, acreage that is to be covered must be reported to and certified by the FSA. Finally if a producer believes they have suffered a 50 percent loss they must report that loss to the FSA within two weeks of incurring the damage.

"The program is a cross between crop disaster, the feed program and crop insurance," explained Maenius. "One thing I like about this program is that it provides for a lot more local control. The county committee has much more control on what is approved and what is not approved."

Maenius stated that if a producer has a substantial operation they need to put their acreage in the NAP program. "It is a $100 a crop, $300 maximum per county and $900 maximum for producers in multiple counties," he explained. "The $100 fee will cover your native grasses and all your improved grasses used for grazing."

Maenius explained that one benefit of the NAP program is that the FSA does not have to wait on Washington to grant special funding. "If you experience a loss, are covered under NAP and properly file your notices of loss we are going to make you a payment," stated Maenius. For more information on the NAP program, contact your local FSA office.