
(NAFB.com) – Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller announced a new step in the battle against the reemergence of the New World Screwworm near the United States. Working closely with USDA, the Texas Department of Agriculture is spearheading efforts to reintroduce an improved pest control method to respond against the Screwworm called Swormlure Bait. “The Screwworm isn’t just a Texas problem,” Miller said. “We cannot wait for sterile flies alone to turn the tide, so that’s why we are applying Swormlure.” Swormlure is a synthetic bait designed to attract adult screwworm flies and may be highly effective when combined with insecticides in eradicating NWS. “Back in the 1960s, we used this combination to help wipe out one of the nastiest parasites we’ve ever faced,” said Miller. Swormlure-5 bait, when used as an attractant and capture tool, is highly targeted. It only impacts screwworms and blowflies and should pose no threat to beneficial insects.