Wendell board greenlights NC State research partnership to study and treat large red‑field ant infestation in town park
Loading...
Summary
The board authorized the town manager to enter an agreement with NC State for a research‑driven baiting and monitoring program aimed at reducing Formica integra (red field ant) populations in Wendell Park; NC State estimated ~ $7,000 per year for bait materials, outlined monitoring and safety precautions, and flagged ecological uncertainties including possible 'vacuum' effects and non‑target impacts.
The Wendell Town Board on Monday authorized a research and treatment agreement with North Carolina State University to test a large‑scale baiting and monitoring approach for a heavy infestation of Formica integra, commonly called the red field ant, in Wendell Park.
Jeff Pulaski (Public Works/parks) introduced Dr. Christopher Hayes, an urban entomologist at NC State, who described the park as a “fascinating ecosystem” dominated in many areas by red field ants. Using calendar‑year observations, Dr. Hayes said the species is non‑stinging but defends itself by biting and spraying formic acid; unlike invasive fire ants, the red field ant is native and plays an ecological role. The proposed approach emphasizes targeted bait stations rather than broad liquid sprays to limit off‑target harm to beneficial insects and to transfer bait through worker feeding to queens.
Dr. Hayes told the board the project would include an initial density assessment using pitfall traps, weekly station checks, and periodic density re‑measurements. He estimated materials — primarily bait — at roughly $7,000 per year and noted personnel support for monitoring would include a lab manager, research specialist and graduate student time. The active ingredient proposed for use in the bait is a boric‑acid formulation at about 1% concentration; Dr. Hayes said that concentration is low and would require ingestion of large quantities to cause harm, but he acknowledged no pesticide is risk‑free and the team will label and secure stations and conduct outreach.
Board members discussed the possibility of an ecological vacuum — whether removing large numbers of native red field ants could allow invasive fire ants or other species to increase — and whether to concurrently target invasive fire ants in high‑use areas such as playgrounds and fields. Dr. Hayes said eradication of fire ants is a separate, extension‑level activity and recommended standard pest control or coordinated efforts for fire ants while the research project focuses on the research questions in the forested areas.
The board moved to authorize the town manager to enter an agreement for treatment and research with NC State University; the motion passed by voice. Pulaski and Dr. Hayes said the research partnership will include outreach and educational activities for local schools and the community and might leverage local seed funding to pursue larger federal grants if the pilot yields publishable data.
The transcript records that staff and commissioners emphasized the town’s fiduciary responsibility to balance research value against park usability; several commissioners framed the vote as an investment to protect multimillion‑dollar athletic fields and increase public use of the park.
