Playing Outdoors Proves to have Hidden Costs—where and what were the hidden costs associated with this bite?

One toddler got a little more than he bargained for while playing outside in the Lone Star State.  Three-year-old Anthony LaScalea was playing with a stick one Memorial Day weekend when a red fire ant, which was attached to the stick, became increasingly agitated.  Finally, Anthony threw the stick and the ant was projected off, landing directly on his eye.  Upon contact, the fire ant clasped on and began to bite Anthony's eye.  The swelling and pain were instant and the LaScalea's immediately called their family physician.  Anthony's parents were advised to give him an antihistamine and wait 24 hours to determine how his body would react to the bite.  By morning, Anthony's eye was swollen shut.  Anthony was hospitalized and underwent several tests to find out how serious the infection had been.  Doctors found that his eye had not been damaged and finally, the swelling began to go down—what a relief!

Holiday in Dixie Festival

In celebration of spring and the Louisiana Purchase, the town of Shreveport, LA, hosted the 57th Holiday in Dixie Festival April 15-25 at Cargill Park.  In conjunction with the festival, Cargill Park also hosted the annual Fireman's Regional Softball Tournament.

To assure athletes and guests that the area was fire ant-free, Platinum festival sponsor, Bayer Environmental Science, donated TopChoice™ fire ant control in time for the festivities to begin.

Listed as one of the Top 100 Events in North America, the Holiday in Dixie festival is comprised of more than 50 activities, including a treasure hunt, block party, parade and carnival.  This multifaceted spring festival is one of the oldest running in Louisiana and welcomed more than 300,000 guests this year.

As part of their national community outreach campaign, Bayer Environmental Science traveled to Shreveport to help generate awareness of the ongoing fire ant problem residents face.  During the festivities, employees enjoyed a competitive game of softball, while Captain TopChoiceTM distributed giveaways such as: TopChoice flip-flops, foam cowboy hats, magnets, and tattoos to attendees.  At the TopChoice tent, children and adults were provided the chance to win flip-flops and cowboy hats by testing their luck in a game of beanbag toss.  At the holiday parade, Bayer Environmental Science representatives and Captain TopChoice rode atop the Ambassador float and tossed Mardi-gras style beads, candy bars, and atomic fire balls to spectators.

"With so many guests spending time here each year, we can't take chances with fire ants. We are excited to be able to provide a new level of fire ant control to those visiting Cargill Park," says Terry Williams, Superintendent of Grounds for Shreveport Parks and Recreation Council. "Cargill Park is the most used of all our public parks, and we want to make sure it is a pleasant experience for every visitor, especially as the park will be the site for this year's Fireman's Regional Softball Tournament!"

Located in southwest Shreveport, Cargill Park consists of 100 acres featuring baseball fields, soccer fields as well as picnic areas, a playground and walking paths.  The TopChoice application focused on the six and one half most utilized acres of the park.

For those living in the Shreveport area, fire ants are a relatively familiar nuisance.  Because of its tropical climate, these destructive pests are able to thrive in Louisiana.  In fact, the entire state of Louisiana is currently under quarantine for red imported fire ants.

"Fire ants are of particular issue in heavily-populated urban areas like Shreveport, and where families spend a lot of time outdoors," says Foster McWhorter, Bayer Environmental Science. "To protect kids and pets, grounds managers and homeowners should consider a professionally-applied preventative insecticide like TopChoice."

Extension Agents - Who are They and How Can They Help You?

Through partnerships with hundreds of local, state, national and international organizations, extension agents have vast resources and expertise to help solve your pest management problems.  Field staff often cooperate with specialists at land-grant universities and other research facilities to compare studies and findings.

Agents work with local governments, community leaders, families, and individuals to address problems and issues that help improve people's lives. They are engaged in a broad range of educational programs in agriculture, community resource development, nutrition, health, family issues, lawn and garden, and youth development.

With the help of extension agents, farmers are able to create and maintain healthy, profitable, and environmentally sustainable operations. Extension agents also provide pest management professionals with resources for the latest products and treatments on the market.  Regional research and extension centers address the specific needs of each community.  To contact an extension agent near you, visit the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service site or call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636).

Baseball Sponsorships, Fire Ant Awareness Days, and One-Year Celebrations...

As fire ant foraging season warmed up in the south this summer, Captain TopChoice warmed up with the players of several minor league baseball teams.  Bayer Environmental Science was the main sponsor of the Savannah Sand Gnats, Jacksonville Suns, Charleston RiverDogs, and more.  At each game, Captain TopChoice stepped up to the mound and threw out the first pitch!  In addition, more than 100 lucky radio listeners received free tickets to these games, compliments of Bayer Environmental Science.

In an effort to communicate the dangers of fire ants to residents in their own communities, several mayors throughout the south joined forces with Bayer Environmental Science to designate one special day---Fire Ant Awareness Day.  On these days, local pest management specialists were present to discuss the precautionary methods and treatments available to homeowners.

With the help of local lawn care companies, TopChoice donated more than 80 acres of fire ant treatment to locations where these pests threaten the health of families and pets.  To recognize the long-lasting control that TopChoice provides, Bayer Environmental Science celebrated the "One Year Fire Ant Free" status of locations such as: Saluda Shoals Park, Seven Oaks Park and Crooked Creek Park in Columbia, South Carolina; Riverside Park, surrounding the USS Battleship in North Carolina; and Moosehaven Retirement Community outside Jacksonville, Florida.

Captain TopChoice Destroys Fire Ants in "Lawn Invaders" Online Game

Join fire ant-fighting superhero, Captain TopChoice as he eliminates pests in the new online video game, Lawn Invaders.  Brought to you by Bayer Environmental Science, the interactive game allows players to destroy an army of red fire ants.  Learn more about how TopChoice can help you rid your own lawn of these dangerous pests and play the game today at www.nofireants.com.