Allison Justice Ph.D. is adamant that the red imported fire-ant is a pest she hates.Solenopsis Invicta).
The ants are the bane for The Hemp Mine and the Cannabis Research Coalition. The latter conducts hemp CBD research and the former is the CEO. The pests were a major concern on her half-acre outdoor plot near Clemson, South Carolina. They built massive mounds at the root of plants and caused significant damage.
Recent planting has also been more damaging than ever before. Justice says, “this past year the damage was mind-blowing.” Cannabis Business Times In an interview. In previous years, fire ants caused a loss of 1%. This year it was around 35%.
Justice, fortunately, has discovered a way to fight these pesky ants that are destroying her garden.
‘They have surpassed caterpillars as my nemesis’
Justice posted her challenge on LinkedIn in September, and some cannabis industry professionals learned of it then. Two-thirds of the population are able to vote. Videos The ants are scrambling on the stems and around the damaged plants. The ant holes near the roots of the plants were also magnified.
She said in her very first posting, “This pest is not something you can get rid of by weekly sprays.” … There are millions underground and above ground with nests near and far. My nemesis has been replaced by them.
Justice doesn’t know why the ants are more active than they were eight years ago, when the first ant appeared on the plot. However, she suggests that the weather could be a factor.
“We have had a really dry year. The ants could be seeking moisture,” says the woman. One reason could be the way the pasture was tilled, rather than just in the rows where they planted. The ants are able to find natural grass to feed off when the weather is dry. [hemp] She says, “It’s all about the plants.”
Justice said that the tunneling was so extensive around the stems this year she believed mice to be the cause. She says that if you flicked the plant just a bit, you could see the ants coming out of their hole in the stem.
Her pesky condition can be treated with a chemical solution
Justice came up with a solution after researching the imported red fire ants, and how others were fighting them. It’s important to know the behavior of ants before buying generic bait.
S-methoprene, an insect growth inhibitor, is the compound she recommends. The product that she uses specifically is Extinguish Professional Fire Ant Bait.
She continues to explain, “This chemical interferes with the growth of juveniles, so that if one of them takes it to the colony the young ants eats it. They are then unable to reach the reproduction stage so they eventually end up killing the entire colony.”
Justice is confident she’s stemmed the ant tide—for now. “I feel like I’m prepared. “I’ve got something that works.” The damage, nesting, and chewing have stopped four weeks after I applied S-methoprene.
This compound may not be allowed by all states, and growers are advised to check the list of pesticides approved in their respective state. She says that the other part of understanding state approvals is to understand a bait which has a container inside which the ants enter, as opposed to broadcasting. Justice adds that she puts the granules in a plastic container with holes rather than broadcasting over the field.
She also wants to encourage other growers, before any damage gets too bad, to act quickly. Justice advises: “Look out for mounds that are a few inches high or even two and a half feet, as I have seen.” You should also read up on the biology of the insects you have to deal with. This is one of your best options.”
David Silverberg writes as a freelancer about the cannabis industry and cannabis.