Robert,
 
It is indeed wonderful news that grits will eradicate the imported fire ant.  This could be the answer for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  They have been trying to eradicate a fire ant infestation from an almond orchard in Kern County, the ants having been brought into the state with bee hives.  They are using a pesticide on the ants, with no success so far.  Also, the pesticide has no tolerance established for almonds, so the grower cannot harvest his nuts from the trees were it is applied to the ground.  Since grits are already approved for use in food, I will recommend to CDFA that they immediately request from the U.S. EPA an Exemption from Tolerance for grits when used to control imported fire ants.  If this is granted with their characteristic speed, aerial applications of grits could begin as early as next year.
 
In addition, the University of California may want to begin research on other elements of Southern cuisine that may be efficacious for the control of  bee pests.  I think Mint Julep may show some promise for control of the Varroa mite.  And have you noticed that Africanized honey bee has failed to penetrate the southeastern tier of states?  Could it be that collard greens, or some other as yet unidentified substance use in the South is halting their advance?
 
Bob Roach