Inviting The Flies

Fire ants have inflicted pain upon me too many times. When I see them, I run for my life. An article in our town newspaper renewed my hope of a better world with fewer fire ants.

Researchers from the University of Texas and Texas A & M, bless their hearts, are bringing tiny South American flies into Texas to visit the now Texan, but formerly South American, fire ants. This is not a happy reunion for the fire ants. The flies lay eggs in the fire ant neighborhoods. Fire ants eat the eggs, which hatch inside of them, and then the terror begins. Maggots hatch from the eggs and eat the fire ants’ brains. The fire ants’ heads fall off their bodies, and obviously, they perish. The flies are then freed to go lay eggs of their own and once again, the cycle begins.

These flies are my friends. They are helping to control the fire ant population in Texas. None of this happens overnight and the experts say it will take years for a cumulative effect, but I am inviting some of these flies for a backyard party.

For those of you who may worry about the rights of fire ants, according to a Texas A & M study, fire ants cost Texas almost $1 billion annually by damaging circuit breakers and other electrical equipment. They can also threaten young calves, and I dare say any other living, breathing plant, animal, and human. The researchers say they are not trying to wipe out each and every fire ant, but to manage the fire ant population.

Many Texan farmers and ranchers have volunteered for these USDA approved fly colonies to be established on their properties. You know fire ants are dreadful when flies are literally welcomed to live among us.

We have droves of fire ants in our yard. Ant mounds here, there, and all over the place.

Where do I sign up for my flies?