Flesh-Eating Parasite Returns: Texas Rolls Out Bait to Fight Back

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller recently announced new measures taken to address the reemergence of the New World Screwworm and its devastation to American ranchers and farmers.

What is the New World Screwworm?

Something that sounds entirely made up by a 10-year-old, this parasitic fly lays eggs in warm-blooded animals, typically livestock, and was thought to be eradicated in the U.S. since the 1960s.

The maggots from the screwworm flies burrow into animal skin and, if untreated, can cause massive wounds that can lead to death.

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension provided some signs you can check for to make sure your cattle and wildlife are free from this parasitic larvae:

• Wounds on animals that emit a strong odor with the presence of maggots
• Animals constantly biting or licking their wounds
• Lesions formed in ears or branding sites
• Out-of-character restlessness or sluggishness

Sid Miller's Answer to the New World Screwworm

Commissioner Miller announced that they will introduce a pest control method called Swormlure Bait.

"The New World Screwworm is not just a Texas problem," Miller stated, "this is a nationwide crisis with potential massive implications for American agriculture, which could result in billions of dollars in economic losses and place a  heavy burden on our agriculture, wildlife industries, and public health systems."

What is Swormlure Bait?

This is essentially a synthetic bait that is designed to attract adult screwworm flies and, when combined with proper insecticides, can help in eradicating the parasitic pest.

Swormlure-5, the latest and most effective version, mimics the scent of open wounds, luring screwworm flies to the bait, where they then die.

Miller assures the public that this bait is designed to only attract screwworm flies and will not pose a threat to other insects that are beneficial to our Texas ecosystems like honeybees and butterflies.

This bait will be administered along with the current eradication method of introducing sterile male flies to the populations. Officials believe that combining these two measures will finally remove these pests from affecting our wildlife and cattle once and for all.