RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Because wet weather from an active hurricane season brings with it increased insect activity, especially fire ants, homeowners and hurricane cleanup crews may need to be especially mindful of the increased risk of fire ant attack this season. "We all know that fire ants build up their mounds when the soil is saturated and attempt to move out of areas that are under water," says Dr. Mark Deyrup, Ph.D., entomological researcher at the Archbold Biological Station in Lake Placid, Fla. "This means that fire ants are more prominent in wet conditions and more concentrated in non-flooded areas. When dense forest canopy is destroyed by a hurricane, it can temporarily provide an optimum habitat for fire ants." One of the most flood-resistant species in the world, fire ants actually flourish in natural disaster conditions, such as those present in major hurricanes. As water rises, fire ants form a "survival ball," with the queen safely protected inside, and will float until they hit dry ground, sometimes miles away from their original colony. Moreover, fire ants inject two or three times as much venom when "rafting" than at other times. Research shows that in wet weather fire ants use the moist, loose soil to create foraging tunnels throughout the top level of soil. Active fire ants near the surface bring them in contact with homeowners and hurricane clean-up crews, increasing the likelihood of severe stings from an insect that attacks its victims in large swarms. "When disturbed, hundreds, sometimes thousands, of ants attack and inflict painful stings that, in the most severe cases, can be life-threatening," says Nate Royalty, Ph.D., entomologist with Bayer Environmental Science. However, in an ironic twist, Royalty points out that fire ants are easier to control in wet weather - providing some level of comfort for homeowners and storm clean-up crews. As a research entomologist, Royalty helped develop the world's leading professional fire ant control product, TopChoice(R) insecticide. According to Royalty, wet soil helps activate the product. In fact, with wet weather enticing them to the surface, fire ants are also more likely to come into contact with the product's active ingredient fipronil. Exposed fire ants then transfer the fipronil to the rest of the colony. And fipronil binds with organic matter in the soil, making it difficult for even heavy rains to wash it away, which is helpful in states where severe storms and fire ants are prolific. "If homeowners or communities are concerned about an increased fire ant threat related to this year's hurricane season, they should check with their lawn care professionals and community officials on whether areas have been properly treated in advance," Royalty says. Royalty also recommends visiting http://www.nofireants.com/ to learn more. Bayer Environmental Science is a division of Bayer CropScience LP, a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $27 billion international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany. The Bayer Group stock is a component of the DAX and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: BAY) For more information on Bayer Environmental Science, call 919-549-2000 or visit us online at http://www.bayerprocentral.com/. Bayer Environmental Science, 2TW Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission forward- looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. DATASOURCE: Bayer Environmental Science CONTACT: Mark McNutt, Tierney Communications, +1-215-790-4372, , for Bayer; or Bryan Gooch, Bayer Environmental Science, +1-919-549-2555, Web site: http://www.bayerprocentral.com/ http://www.nofireants.com/

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