That little ant could kill

The United States Department of Agriculture disclosed Saturday that killer pests from the mainland US might be on its way to CNMI if quarantine procedures are not strictly implemented.

Presently, USDA Animal and Health Inspection Services and Plant Protection and Quarantine Director Mitchell Nelson said construction materials are the easy target of killer ants and killer bees that are causing health problems to many states in the US.

Mr. Nelson said fire ants or Solenopis invicta were originally introduced from South America in 1930 and continuously thrive and invaded many US regions for the past years.

The fire ants has negatively affected wildlife and overall biological diversity in Texas, southern United States and now in certain areas in the western part of the mainland.

The Department of Lands and Natural Resources should beef up its quarantine procedures to prevent the entry of these fire ants and killer bees that can be transported in through construction materials, woods, and other agricultural products imported from the mainland US.

Aside from its serious impact on agriculture, these pests can interfere with livestock grazing, and the harvesting of crops. But the more damaging effect of these pests is its direct attack on animals and human.

These ants and bees attack en masse and both can cause fatal allergic reactions. Although the killer bees, or African bees can overwhelm and kill even healthy, non-allergic people and fire ants can’t overwhelm healthy and mobile individuals, Mr. Nelson urged the Commonwealth to take extra caution.

The ants nest in the soil of open areas, pastures and agronomic fields, but are found occasionally in wooded areas. Mounds are generally dome-shaped in contrast to those of other fire ant species.

Once these pests were brought into the Northern Marianas, federal agencies are worried that these will turn off the reviving tourist market and lose potential travelers from Korea and Japan.

“We have to keep the island safe. Quarantine officers should not bypass inspections and render VIP treatment to anyone. All chest must be inspected, all cargoes examined,” said the APHIS director.

In addition to this, Mr. Nelson renewed calls to DLNR quarantine officers to be on the look out and examine carefully all entries, especially those coming from highly-critical areas where foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease persist. (EGA)