Special Directions for Florida - Sounds Way Too Toxic for our Fragile Environment

[Guest guest]

http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/071702/np5.htm?date=071702 & story=np5.

htm

07/17/02

Park manager concerned about fire ant killer

May also be toxic to some endangered species

A local environmentalist is concerned about a new product that kills fire

ants.

Called GardenTech Over'n Out Fire Ant Killer Granules, the homeowner and

professional use product also may be toxic to birds, fish and other aquatic

wildlife, according to the manufacturer. Scherer State Park Manager

Spaulding has issued a plea to residents who live near the park.

" We're asking that they refrain from using this product within a one-mile

radius of the park boundary, " Spaulding said, " and any areas that might pose

a threat to wildlife. "

The warning on the product label reads in part: " In Florida, do not use this

product within a one-mile radius of scrub oak habitat, which is home to the

Florida scrub jay, the sand kkink, and the blue-tail mole skink. " Spaulding

said there is a population of more than 100 scrub jays in the park.

" That's a sizable population, " Spaulding said, " so it wouldn't take much to

devastate a population of jays. "

The label also states: " Do not apply within 15 feet of bodies of fresh

water. Do not apply within 60 feet of estuarine bodies of water. "

GardenTech Marketing Vice-President Darren Horst, of Lexington, Ky., said

the product was fast-tracked through the federal Environmental Protection

Agency because it is less harmful to the environment than other products on

the market.

" We haven't had any problems with it, but we put the warning label on

because we are overly conservative and we wanted to be good corporate

stewards, " Horst said. " That's why the one-mile radius. "

Horst said if the ant killer granules are used and applied properly, it is

extremely effective against fire ants and the chemical does not leach into

the water table.

Word spreads

Spaulding said he was made aware of the ant killer granules through another

park manager, who sent an e-mail to park headquarters in Tallahassee.

" I've contacted Sorrento East (Homeowners Association), the Nokomis Area

Civic Association (NACA) and the Osprey Civic Association, " Spaulding said.

" I told them about it, asked that they publicize it and if they live near

the park to be careful about using it. "

Spaulding said he got a telephone call from a woman in Sorrento East the day

after his warning came out in the NACA newsletter. The woman said she

received a telephone solicitation from a Tampa company that was promoting

the fire ant killer.

" I called the company, " Spaulding said. " They said they knew through their

marketing studies that Sorrento East was close to the park and the call was

made by mistake. "

Spaulding said some of the residences in Sorrento East are as close as 15

feet to the park boundary.

There is no evidence so far at Scherer that the ant killer granules

have taken a toll on park wildlife, according to Spaulding.

" We're just trying to be proactive, " he said. " There must be a reason the

manufacturer put the warning labels on. "

Bad news fire ants

According to a University of Minnesota study, fire ants generally live in

earthen nests, or mounds. However, they will nest in a wide variety of

sites, including rotten logs, walls of buildings, under sidewalks and roads,

in automobiles and in dried cow manure.

The male fire ant dies as soon as he mates, but the new queen ant lives for

up to seven years.

Fire ants can wreak havoc on the local ecological community, including field

mice, snakes and turtles.

They also will feed on plants and attack young saplings and seedlings.

Additionally, fire ant colonies have been found inside cars, trucks and

recreation vehicles. Fire ants have caused car accidents by stinging the

drivers. Victims of highway accidents can be attacked by fire ants if they

are thrown from their vehicles.

Fire ants can invade homes and injure small children and elderly people.

In one horrific fire ant incident locally, L. Gay, 87, a Quality Health

Care Center patient in North Port, died May 19, 2000, of an allergic

reaction after being stung more than 1,600 times by fire ants in her bed.

A criminal investigation was conducted at the time of Gay's death. North

Port Police and state investigators determined no crime was committed by her

care givers.

However, the state Health Care Administration inspected the center and

recommended a civil penalty and a moratorium on new patients until some

faults were corrected.

The federal Health Care Financing Administration levied a civil penalty, and

Edgar Gay, a son, filed a civil suit against the home.

Scherer State Park Manager Spaulding said he would be happy to

answer questions about how the park service treats for fire ants in Florida

state parks.

Spaulding can be reached during business hours at 941-483-5957.

You can e-mail Tommy McIntyre at tmcintyre@...

By TOMMY MCINTYRE

Staff Writer