Researchers Use Flies to Attack Fire Ants

One of the more painful encounters one can have in the southern United States is to be bitten by fire ants; their name describes the sensation quite well. The worst bites come from the invasive fire ant from South America, whose scientific name is Solenopsis invicta. Besides ruining many a picnic and camping trip, this aggressive insect is also responsible for about $6 billion a year in medical treatment costs and repairs to damaged electrical equipment. VOA's Greg Flakus went to Austin, Texas, to see what weapons researchers are developing to fight these tiny invaders.