Gerald D. Lindsey

Hazards to Birds and Mammals Following Nifluridide Baiting for Controlling Fire Ants

Hazards to birds and mammals were evaluated following the aerial application of 0.75% nifluridide (EL-468) bait for controlling imported red fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Birds were recorded on 12 transects (6 treated and 6 control) pre- and posttreatment. Small mammal abundance was estimated by live trapping 6 plots (3 treated and 3 control) pre- and posttreatment. Bait disappearance rates were measured for 3 different densities of red fire ant mounds. Overall, more birds and small mammals were counted posttreatment than pretreatment. Posttreatment ingress by northern cardinals (...