Ability to Respond Total:14 / 25Ability to Respond = ( Ease of Response + Tools in Place )
Confidence:Medium
Confidence Notes:
Impact
Spread
Notes
Score
Spread Rate
Queens fly (a mile or more, with the help of wind), ants may be transported in vegetation or soil, or they may hitchhike on just about anything.
5
Spread Amount
Likes hot, sunny areas. Likes disturbance and grassy areas as well.
4
Damage
Notes
Score
Ecological
Effects on native birds, reptiles, small mammals including endangered species. Increase use of pesticides causes environmental damage potential. Displaces native ants.
2
Agricultural
Tends honeydew producing insects (i.e., aphids), Impacts to farm workers and poultry. Costly treatments to containerized nursery stock to allow movement from infested areas.
4
Infrastructure
2
Cultural
Negative effects on gardening and recreational use of infested areas.
2
Health
Inflicts painful sting, in some cases anaphalaxis may occur
4
Benefit
Notes
Score
Ecological
0
Agricultural
0
Infrastructure
0
Cultural
0
Health
May be beneficial medical uses for venom.
1
Total
22
Ability to Respond
Ease of Response
Notes
Score
Detection
Detection must be made visually, ie. Noticing the presence of ants or ant hills that appear different than what is normally present. Detection may also be made physically (ie. Getting stung).
2
Control
Queen is unaffected by poison baits (fed by workers), infestations may be massive, chemical treatment may exacerbate the problem (by eliminating competing ant species). Injecting individual mounds is costly and time-consuming.
