Fire Ants Are Invading Hawaii, so Helicopters Are Blasting Them With Birth Control

‘Murder hornets’ might have everyone freaking out the mainland, but Hawaii has its own little, huge problem: Invasive ants.

These aren’t just any ant. Two species — yellow crazy ants and little fire ants — are destroying the islands’ native biodiversity and making life miserable for residents. Scientists have struggled to eradicate what are considered some of the world’s worst invasive species.

Now, they are unleashing helicopters dropping ant birth control to stop them from expanding territory. It’s the first time conservationists are spraying a non-toxic bait from helicopters to stop ants from reproducing, and it could provide a successful model for other places trying to control invasive bugs.

Cover image credit: Eli Sarnat

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