Webinar: Fire Ants and Nuisance Ants Pests of the Southeastern U.S.
Organizers and Sponsors: University of Georgia, University of Florida, Auburn University, North Carolina State University, and Clemson University
Date: April 21, 2022
Time: 2:00 to 5:00 PM (EST)
Platform: Zoom Webinar
Cost: $0
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Everyone hates fire ants! Since their introduction into the US in the 1950s, fire ants have been pests of humans and livestock. And yet, few of us know anything about how to control them. On April 21, 2022, several of the world’s most knowledgeable fire ant specialists will provide information on the biology and management of fire ants and several other nuisance ant pests.
| Time | Topic | Speaker |
| 1:45 | Welcome and Introduction | Dr. Dan Suiter, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Griffin, Georgia |
| 2:00 – 2:40 | Fire Ants of the Southeastern U.S.: History, Identification, Biology, Biological Control | Dr. David H. Oi, USDA-ARS, Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, Gainesville, Florida |
| 2:45 – 3:25 | Management of Fire Ants in Urban and Suburban Environments: Golf Courses, Athletic Fields, and Residential Homes | Dr. Will Hudson, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia |
| 3:30 – 3:40 | Break | |
| 3:40 – 4:20 | Management of Fire Ants in Rural Environments: Pastures, Equipment & Calibration | Dr. Tim Davis, Chatham County Georgia Extension, Savannah, Georgia |
| 4:25 – 4:55 | Nuisance Ant Pests of the Southeastern U.S.: Identification and Principles of Management | Various Speakers, Departments of Entomology at State Land Grant Universities |
| 5:00 | End |
Dr. David Oi is a Research Entomologist at the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology located in Gainesville, Florida. He conducts research on the chemical and biological control of imported fire ants. He also works on the biology and control of other invasive pest ants such as the tawny crazy ant and the little fire ant.
Dr. Will Hudson has been an Extension Entomologist at the University of Georgia since 1988. He is responsible for insect management programs in turf and ornamentals, permanent grass pastures and hayfields, and pecans. In addition to his extension responsibilities, he also teaches courses in turf pest management, ornamentals IPM, and a graduate discussion course in IPM. Current applied research projects include study of the biology and management of the invasive bermudagrass stem maggot and control of ambrosia beetles in nurseries, landscapes, and pecan orchards.
Dr. Tim Davis is the Chatham County, GA (Savannah area) Extension Coordinator and the Director of the Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens with the University of Georgia. Tim began working with fire ants in the late 1990s as the Imported Fire Ant Specialist for Clemson University. Dr. Davis has been involved in fire ant research and education program testing new chemistry in the field and developing fire ant management strategies/protocol for large systems such as military bases.
Dr. Dan Suiter is an Extension Entomologist in the Department of Entomology at the University of Georgia’s Griffin Campus in Griffin, GA. He works closely with the Structural Pest Control Industry, Homeowners, and County Extension in support of the Extension Mission of UGA. He has a small research program on pest ants.