Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

HAB911

(10,394 posts) Tue Aug 29, 2017, 01:53 PM Aug 2017

12

How fire ants form giant rafts to survive Houston floods [View all]

Drop a clump of 100,000 fire ants in a pond of water -- or flood a huge area of Texas that's infested with fire ants and drive them out of their nests in large groups. In minutes the clump will flatten and spread into a circular pancake that can float for weeks without drowning the ants.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houston-floods-fire-ants-form-giant-rafts-to-survive-harvey/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&linkId=41582106

16 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

How fire ants form giant rafts to survive Houston floods [View all] HAB911 Aug 2017 OP

Too bad those cans of charcoal starter are needed for other things Warpy Aug 2017 #1

It would be a good time to syphon them off the water and exterminate them. shraby Aug 2017 #3

They'd never get them all. It would just be satisfying to get some of them. Warpy Aug 2017 #5

I'm all for biodiversity SCantiGOP Aug 2017 #6

Mosquito larvae feed fresh water fish Warpy Aug 2017 #7

Mosquitos kill more people SCantiGOP Aug 2017 #8

Aedes aegypti is expendable, it's the worst of them all Warpy Aug 2017 #9

I know that well SCantiGOP Aug 2017 #11

You've got two viable options Warpy Aug 2017 #12

I spray all exposed skin SCantiGOP Aug 2017 #13

Understood. I reeked of Off when I lived in Mass. Warpy Aug 2017 #14

A couple of drops of Dawn detergent does the trick Xipe Totec Aug 2017 #10

I've seen the pics. Truly amazing. underpants Aug 2017 #2

I actually read about that long ago. Doreen Aug 2017 #4

how do they choose who is on the bottom? nt Javaman Aug 2017 #15

Fire Ants Are Yet Another Hazard in Houstons Flooded Streets Judi Lynn Aug 2017 #16

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»How fire ants form giant ...»Reply #0