Spraying low-toxicity gel bait via helicopter Tuesday marked a milestone for the Maui Invasive Species Committee and Hilo-based Hawaii Ant Lab, two key groups fighting the little fire ant.

The engineering and defensive skills of red wood ants help the endangered species transcend its small stature in the natural world.

There have also been claims that the authority is planting fire ants on properties to justify spraying chemicals onto them. Executive program director Marni Manning said this "untrue and downright ...

Ms Behlau said her clients were reporting that fire ant treatments were being used “willy nilly” on their properties, including around children’s play equipment. Aerial spraying was also ...