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Posted
On 10/25/2020 at 1:37 PM, B00M said:

I mean, that's just fucking awesome. Proud American moment right there. 

Tying tracking devices to Murder Hornets with dental floss is pretty impressive.

Posted
14 minutes ago, Liquor and Poker said:

Why aren't we killing these?  Some sort of misguided "live and let live" thing?  Food chain stuff?

Vaccuum them, set the pod on fire and submerge it in the Marianas Trench.

My guess is that this is how they think they can most effectively get all of them. Vacuum them out when they should be back during the day, but if they destroyed the nest/tree (fire, pesticide) it is possible some are away or that some might flee and not die.

They can Vacuum and then monitor to see if any stragglers show up and capture those.

Then nuke it from orbit.....It's the only way to be sure.

Posted
15 minutes ago, Liquor and Poker said:

Why aren't we killing these?  Some sort of misguided "live and let live" thing?  Food chain stuff?

Vaccuum them, set the pod on fire and submerge it in the Marianas Trench.

I think the vacuum killed a lot of them, and they are cutting down the tress to get the young ones out, and check if any queens left (however that works).

I'm guessing that fire/chemicals/etc. would alert the hornets something was up, whereas the vacuum would suck them out without alerting them to something crazy happening (fire/chemicals).

Also, if the hornets can release chemical traces that can alert others, vacuuming them out doesn't give them a chance, and could keep such chemicals confined (probably talking about my ass (but I remember how ants, etc. could release chemical traces to alert their brethren).

Posted
43 minutes ago, atomheartbevo said:

Also, if the hornets can release chemical traces that can alert others, vacuuming them out doesn't give them a chance, and could keep such chemicals confined (probably talking about my ass (but I remember how ants, etc. could release chemical traces to alert their brethren).

We should try that with the Cloak Room and the EOT thread.

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Posted
1 hour ago, Liquor and Poker said:

Why aren't we killing these?  Some sort of misguided "live and let live" thing?  Food chain stuff?

Vaccuum them, set the pod on fire and submerge it in the Marianas Trench.

So they can put them in a box and mail them to China

  • Haha 1
Posted
15 minutes ago, Deej said:

Getting one of those for the web worms.

Poking a hole in the web tent with a long pole allows wasps in to eat the worms.  I had friends that used to take a long bamboo pole and poke the tents up and down the street in Hyde Park. It worked.

Posted
19 minutes ago, Deej said:

We should try that with the Cloak Room and the EOT thread.

You're thinking too small.

Have we priced a human-sized vacuum device?  One that could vacuum up a certain Mensa member that we know?

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Posted
12 minutes ago, RomaVicta said:

Poking a hole in the web tent with a long pole allows wasps in to eat the worms.  I had friends that used to take a long bamboo pole and poke the tents up and down the street in Hyde Park. It worked.

Where's the fun in that?

Posted

I had a hornets nest outside my daughter's window. Spectracide hornet and wasp killer is legit. Even though I was shooting up about 15' feet, they started dropping like... well, hornets. Wiped out a nest of maybe 15 in about 3 minutes. Came back and sprayed it just to be sure, but that stuff was killer.

  • 4 years later...
Posted

Deadly Asian Needle Ants Found in US

June 14, 2025 by David Jones

The U.S. Forestry Service has reported the presence of Asian needle ants in Florida, particularly in areas near Tallahassee and along the state’s east coast. This has sparked concerns due to the potential health risks associated with these ants. The sting of an Asian needle ant can trigger a severe allergic reaction, anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. The risk is even higher for individuals with allergies to certain foods or bee stings. It is recommended that anyone experiencing a reaction to a sting seek immediate medical attention.

 

Dr. Debbie Castle, an ant behavior biologist at the University of South Florida, has provided some insight into the behavior of these ants. According to her, only the worker ants have the capacity to sting, while the queens and males do not. The sting of an Asian needle ant is similar to that of a fire ant, known for their painful bites. As a precautionary measure, individuals allergic to fire ant stings are advised to carry an EpiPen.

 

Asian needle ants differ from fire ants in their habitat preferences. While fire ants are commonly found in grassy areas, Asian needle ants favor forested regions abundant in decaying wood. This means they are less likely to be found in well-kept lawns. Fire ants, which were introduced to Florida in the 1920s and 1930s, have since spread worldwide, even reaching China. The arrival of Asian needle ants in Florida has raised concerns about the potential impact of another invasive species on the ecosystem.

 

It is believed that Asian needle ants were introduced to the U.S. through international trade, specifically in the soil of imported plants and landscaping materials. Their tendency to inhabit underground and under-rock areas allows them to travel unnoticed, leading to their unintentional spread.

 

Dr. Castle’s interest in ants stems from her background in psychology. She is intrigued by the similarities between ant and human social behavior. Ants display complex social structures, providing homes for their queens and young, and engaging in territorial battles. These behaviors provide insights into cooperation and resilience in challenging circumstances.

 

The presence of Asian needle ants in Florida serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by invasive species. Residents are advised to remain vigilant, especially in wooded areas, highlighting the importance of understanding and managing the ecological impacts of these species.

Posted
16 minutes ago, SurlyGator said:

I definitely did not have deadly Asian needle ants on my bingo card.

 

 

Yeah, but you knew deep down somehow Florida would fit into the story. 

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Posted
6 hours ago, Bevo said:

Deadly Asian Needle Ants Found in US

June 14, 2025 by David Jones

 

 

Dr. Debbie Castle, an ant behavior biologist at the University of South Florida, has provided some insight into the behavior of these ants. According to her, only the worker ants have the capacity to sting, while the queens and males do not. The sting of an Asian needle ant is similar to that of a fire ant, known for their painful bites. As a precautionary measure, individuals allergic to fire ant stings are advised to carry an EpiPen.

 

 

This is true for all ant species. This fact is not "according to Dr. Debbie Castle."

And there is a hot tip for the day: If you are allergic to fire ant stings, carry an epipen. 

 

So what else is bullshit, bad science, or shitty journalism in that article?

 

 

Posted
14 minutes ago, High Plains Drifter said:

 

This is true for all ant species. This fact is not "according to Dr. Debbie Castle."

And there is a hot tip for the day: If you are allergic to fire ant stings, carry an epipen. 

 

So what else is bullshit, bad science, or shitty journalism in that article?

 

 

Good point,

There was a lot wrong with the article. For whatever reason, a lot of article are popping up on the subject this month. 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/invasive-asian-needle-ants-sting-is-painful-can-cause-anaphylaxis/

Summary: It has been in the US a long time. It has spread throughout the Eastern US but not the west, perhaps because it doesn't do well in arid conditions. It isn't particularly aggressive. It doesn't live in large mounds. Its sting hurts more than a fire ant's sting and it has a higher chance of causing anaphalaxes. 

Also, surprisingly, I thought the below article was better than the scientific american article:

https://nypost.com/2025/06/13/health/insect-with-potentially-deadly-sting-spreads-across-us/

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