Foresight Receives Phase II SBIR to Research Novel Method of Fire Ant Control

BOSTON - Jan. 8, 2018 - PRLog -- Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. (Foresight) has received a Phase II SBIR grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to further develop a novel biologically-based method to manage invasive and native pest ant populations, primarily red fire ants. In Phase I, Foresight demonstrated that the compounds negatively affect potential colony queens and cause worker ant mortality. In the Phase II, Foresight will field test prototype bait products with assistance from USDA, Agricultural Research Service through a CRADA. A natural insecticide/bait for Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) control would provide an effective environmentally neutral option that would reduce the need for potentially damaging chemical treatments. The new RIFA bait option will benefit many economic sectors afflicted by RIFAs, such as agriculture, electric & communications, schools, residential households and will support economic development of rural organic farming.

Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. is a commercialization consulting company that was founded in 1980. Since then, Foresight has specialized in accelerating the transition of early-stage technologies into the market as an innovative leader in the evolving field of tech transfer and commercialization.  For further information about Foresight and this project, please contact Norton Kaplan by telephone at: 1-401-354-1342 or by email at: Norton.kaplan@foresightst.com.