.

>> Huell: THEY'RE HERE BY THE BLZ AND THEY'RE UP TO NO GOOD.

WE'RE FIGHTING THEM EVERY WAY WE CAN.

THERE IS A WAR GOING ON.

AND WE INTEND TO WIN THIS WAR.

NOW, WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS THING SDM.

>> SWORINOPSIS IVICTA.

>> THE ANT.

AND HERE WE ARE IN IRVINE, RIGHT?

>> LAKE FOREST.

>> Huell: EXCUSE ME.

AND WE'RE STANDING HERE FROM THE FIRE ANT AUTHORITY AND WE'RE STANDING WITH, INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

>> RICHARD BOEING I'M THE PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE FIRE ANT AUTHORITY.

>> Huell: AND ALSO A RETIRED LIEUTENANT KERNEL FROM THE MARINE CORPS, WHICH YOU WILL PICKUP ON.

I WAS NOT A LIEUTENANT KERNEL.

>> I'LL SEE IF YOU'RE IN YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR.

>> Huell: .

WE ARE HERE, YOU KNOW WE LIKE TO HAVE FUN ON OUR PROGRAMS.

BUT THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SUBJECT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT?

>> YES, IT IS AN I THREAT TO CALIFORNIAN AND IT'S GOING TO MAYBE, AFFECT OUR LIFE.

>> Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN A THREAT?

>> IT'S A NRAET TO--THREAT TO A GRI AGRICULTURE, IT'S A TLET.

>>-THREAT.

>> BECAUSE THE FIRE ANTS ARE HERE.

>> OH THEY ARE HERE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THEM TODAY.

>> Huell: AND YOU ALSO HAVE A LITTLE WAR MAP ON THE WALL.

ALL THESE LITTLE RED DOTS ARE COLONIES OF FIRE ANTS.

>> RIGHT SX, THEY ARE IN SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY.

THE CENTRAL ORANGE COUNTY IS RELATIVELY CLEAN.

>> Huell: YES, ABOUT ONE OR TWO DOTS HERE.

>> AND WHAT IS ANOTHER TWO DOTS HERE.

>> THAT'S NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WE HAVE ANOTHER SATELLITE OFFICE UP IN BUENA PARK.

>> Huell: SO FOR SOME REASON, WE'VE GOT A BIG GROUP OF THEM IN SOUTH COUNTY, ORANGE COUNTY, ANOTHER BUNCH IN BUENA PARK.

AND WE'RE FIGHTING THESE THINGS EVER WAY WE KNOW HOW.

>> WELL, WE'RE FIGHTING--WE'VE BEEN IN EXISTENCE AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE WINNING THE FIGHT.

AND ANOTHER FOUR OR FIVE YEARS WE'LL HAVE THIS ERADICATED.

>> Huell: HE LIKES THE WORD HE RAT INDICATE--REERADICATED.

EARLIER I USED THE WORD CONTROL.

BUT YOU WANT TO ERADICATE THEM.

>> ORANGE COUNTY THAT'S THE MOST ANTS.

>> Huell: WHY IS THAT?

>> WE REALLY DON'T KNOW, WE'RE JUST UNLUCKY.

THEY'RE HERE.

>> Huell: ALL RIGHT.

TO SHOW YOU HOW SERIOUS THIS THING IS.

LOOK AT THIS PICTURE.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT HERE?

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT AN INFANTS' HAND THAT'S BEEN STUN.

YOU CAN SEE THE MULTABLE THINGS.

EACH ANT STINGS TOUP EIGHT TIMES.

>> Huell: WHAT?

>> STINGS IN SIGNED OF A CIRCLE PATTERN.

>> Huell: THAT'S IT RIGHT THERE.

>> THAT IS ANOTHER FIRE RED ANT.

>> Huell: HE'S ARE MEAN LOOKING LITTLE THINGS.

>> YOU'LL SEE TODAY, THEY ARE VERY AGGRESSIVE ANTS AND THEY ATTACK IN LARGE NUMBERS, NOT JUST ONE OR TWO ANTS, THOUSANDS OF ANTS.

>> Huell: ARE THESE ANTS GIVING ANOTHER ANTS A BAD NAME.

THERE ARE THER ANTS THAT DON'T BOTHER ANYBODY.

>> WE ACTUALLY LOOK UNDER A MIKE--MICROSCOPE TO LOOK AT THEM.

>> Huell: IT'S GOING TO BE A BUSY DAY?

>> YES, A BUSY FULL PACT DAY.

>> Huell: THIS IS AN EXHIBIT THAT YOU TAKE TO SHOPPING CENTERS AND FARES TO BRING PEOPLE UP TO SPEED.

>> EXACTLY WE HAVE A CITIZEN SURVEY, WE NEED CITIZENS TO REPORT THE ANTS.

>> Huell: OKAY.

SO WE'RE LEAVING THE DISPLAY AREA AND GOING AS OUR ANT JOURNEY WE'RE GOING TO THE LAB.

OKAY.

WE'RE NOW IN THE ANT LAB AND RICHARD, YOU WANT TO INTRODUCE US TO--I GUESS YOU'RE THE ANT LAB.

>> THAT'S ANNE, SHE'S A PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR BUT NOW SHE DECAPTAFES ANTS.

AND THEN I TELL THEM WHEN THEY ARE.

SO WAIT A MINUTE, THIS WHOLE--OH ANT SAMPLE HERE WE ARE.

THESE ARE BROUGHT IN BY THE FIELD WORKERS.

>> I GET STUFF FROM THEM AND I ALSO GET THESE CAST TESTS.

>> Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN.

>> WE GET A CAST TEST WE ASK PEOPLE TO PUT POTATO CHIPS ON THE GROUND AND THEN THEY SEND THEM IN.

>> Huell: SO YOU'RE GETTING BAG HE'S FULL OF ANTS FROM CITIZENS IN ORANGE COUNTY.

>> YES.

>> Huell: AREN'T THEY WORRIED ABOUT GETTING STUN?

>> WHAT WE TELL THEM IS THEY CAN TAKE THE POTATO BAG AND STICK IT IN THE BREEZER BUT I'VE RECEIVED LIFE ANTS.

AND THEY LIKE POTATO CHIPS DON'T USE THE PAT FREE THEY DON'T LIKE THOSE.

>> Huell: NOW IT'S A TIME TO DISSTINGUISH THE FIRE ANTS.

THERE ARE GOOD ONES.

>> YES, WE WANT TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OUR NATIVE FIRE ANTS.

>> Huell: DO THEY LOOK DIFFERENT TO THE NAKED EYE.

>> THEY LOOK VERY SIMILAR.

>> Huell: THEY'RE TINY LITTLE ANTS ?O.--SO I DECAPTATE THEM.

>> Huell: OH MY GOSH, THAT'S AN ANT HEAD.

>> THAT'S AN ANT HEAD.

THIS IS A MIDDLE TOOTH THAT EXIST IN THE IMPORTED ANT THAT DOES NOT EXIST IN THE--IT'S CALLED THE CLEVIAL TOOTH.

IT'S THERE ON THE IMPORTED ANT BUT NOT ON THE OTHER ANT.

>> Huell: SO THAT TOOTH CELEBRATES THEM.

>> YES, BUT THAT'S THE OTHER EASIEST ONE.

>> Huell: YOU SPEND YOUR WHOLE DAY LOOKING THROUGH HERE.

NOW WAIT A MINUTE THESE ANTS STILL HAVE THE HEADS ON.

>> WELL, I WANTED TO SHOW YOU.

THERE IS THE QUEENS AND MALE.

IF YOU SEE WINGED ANTS.

>> Huell: CAN WE PICK THESE UP.

THESE ARE ALL DEAD, AREN'T THEY?

>> THESE THEY'RE ALL DEAD.

>> Huell: WE HAVE A TRAY OF DEAD ANTS SOME DECAPTATEED AND SOME STILL HAVE THEIR HEADS ON.

>> THE QUEENS AND THE MALES.

>> Huell: WAIT A MINUTE THIS IS KIND OF AN ANT CHART.

>> WHAT WE'RE SHOWING HERE, IS THAT THERE IS DIFFERENT SIZES.

THESE THEY CALL THEM THEY HAVE POLY MORPHISM.

>> Huell: IS THIS THE QUEEN UP HERE?

>> NO THESE ARE THE QUEENS.

THEY ARE ALL ADULTS.

THEY DON'T GET ANY BIGGER, THEY ARE JUST DIFFERENT SIZED.

>> Huell: THESE HAVE BEEN EATING MORE POTATO CHIPS THAN THESE HAVE.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S THE ANT THAT'S MORE OFTEN MISTAKEN FOR THE FIRE ANT.

>> Huell: IS THERE ANY SUCH THING AS A GOOD ANT?

>> YEAH.

>> Huell: WHAT DO ANTS DO IN A POSITIVE WAY FOR OUR LIVES.

>> WELL, THEY CIRCULATE THE SOIL A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE THAT THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUT ANTS.

>> Huell: BUT WE ARE STILL CONCENTRATING ON THIS BATTLE.

LET'S LOOK BECAUSE WE'VE GOT THE SCREEN UP HERE, THIS SHOWS THE SAME THING THAT WE SAW ON THE MAP OUTSIDE, THIS IS SOUTH COUNTY HERE AND THIS IS BUENA PARK OUT HERE.

SO AS THE KERNEL SAID WE HAVE A TWO WAR FRONT HERE.

>> EXACTLY THIS IS THE GIS SYSTEM SO OUR TECHNICIAN COLLECT THE DATA AND STICK IT ON THERE AND DATA IS AUTOMATICALLY TRANSFERRED AND WE PUT IT IN OUR GIS SYSTEM.

>> Huell: DID YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANTS BEFORE THIS.

>> WELL, I WAS WORKING FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.

SO THEY KNEW THAT THEY HAD FIRE ANTS SO WE STARTED A PROGRAM IN COAST MESA TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS.

AND THEN THEY CONTRACTED OUT.

NOW WE EXIST.

>> Huell: AND WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Huell: I'M JUST LOOKING OVER YOUR SHOULDER, WHAT IS THIS?

>> IT'S A PICTURE OF AN OLD BOOK CALLED "THE FIRE ANTS".

>> Huell: AND THEM, THE HORROR MOVIE THEM ABOUT ANTS.

>> NOT ABOUT FIRE APARTMENTS BUT--FIRE ANTS BUT ALMOST AS DISSESTRUCTIVE.

>> Huell: AND THE ANATOMY.

WOW THERE IS A LOT HERE.

ARE WE GOING OUT INTO SCHOOLS AND TEACHING THE KIDS TOO?

>> YES, OF COURSE, THE KIDS NEED TO KNOW AND ADULTS NEED TO KNOW AND EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT THE FIRE ANTS.

WE NEED TO EDUCATE THEM.

>> Huell: BOY, WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH.

YOU HAVE AN ANT EATER--.

>> EVERYTHING WE CAN EVEN ANT EATERS, EVEN IF THEY'RE STUFFED.

>> Huell: YOU DON'T HAVE ANY ANT EATERS WORKING IN THE SOUTH COUNTRY.

>> WE SHOULD GET SOME.

WE'RE >> Huell: WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE NOW.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO FIELD AND WE'RE GOING TO FIND SOME TODAY?

>> OH DEFINITELY THERE IS PLENTY OF ANTS TO BE FOUND.

I'VE GOT SOME IN THE FRONT LINES.

>> Huell: SO THIS IS A WHOLE BATTLE SITUATION?

>> IT'S A WAR, IT'S A WAR IN MULTIPLES COUNTYS AND ORANGE COUNTY HAS THE MOST HEAVILY INFESTED AREA.

>> Huell: ALL RIGHT.

SO WE'RE GOING OUT TO THE BATTLE FRONT HERE IN SOUTH COUNTY AND FIND SOME OF THESE MEAN UGLY FIRE ANTS WHICH ARE CALLED AGAIN.

>> SINOMACIS INVICTA.

>> THE INVICTA.

>> Huell: I'M NOT GOING TO TOUCH ANYTHING AFTER SEEING THAT HAND?

>> THEY MAY REACH OUT AND TOUCH YOU.

>> Huell: WHERE ARE WE NOW?

>> WE'RE AT WAGON WHEEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> Huell: AND THEY'RE OUT ON EASTER BREAK SO THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO DEMONSTRATE FIELD BATTLES.

>> THIS IS MY FIELDS GUY AND HE INVENTED A DEVICE CALLED THE ATM.

>> Huell: I GUESS THE AKM, THE ANT KILLING MACHINE.

>> WE ADAPTED KILLING MOSQUITOS AND USE IT FOR ANTS.

>> Huell: SO YOU WERE INTO KILLING MOSSQUITOS.

HOW DOES THIS OPERATE?

>> THE BACK PACK WORNER CAN BE WORN.

WE HAVE ADAPTED IT TO THE ANT KILLING MACHINE AND WE HAVE ONE PERSON DRIVING.

THE OTHER PERSON GOES AHEAD AND USED THIS TO TREAT--AND THEY ARE ABLE AS THEY ARE TREATING, BRIAN, IF YOU CAN SHOW EXACTLY HOW THEY DO THAT.

>> Huell: SO HE SITS IN THE MACHINE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

AND THEY WILL APPLY OUR DISTANT PRODUCT THAT WE USE.

AND WE WILL SPRAY THE MOUNDS ON THIS SLOPES THAT BROADCAST THIS AND THEY'RE ABLE TO COVER A LOT FASTER TERRITORY THAN THEY COULD IF THEY WERE WALKING.

>> Huell: SURE.

AND THEY SHOOT THIS STUFF UP.

WHAT IS HE DOING UP THERE?

>> WE HAVE ONE OF OUR TECHNICIAN BECAUSE THIS WILL COVER APPROXIMATELY 25 FEET ON THE SLOPE HE WILL BE COVERING THE TOP AND HE WILL SHOOT WITH BASICALLY A LITTLE THING.

>> Huell: SO YOU'RE GOING TO GET IT FROM THE TOP DOWN AND THE TOP UP.

THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE ANY ANT LEFT.

>> YES, AND IT SHOOTS APPROXIMATELY 80 FEET.

AND WITHIN TWO HOURS WE FIND THAT THE ANTS ARE REALLY PICKING THE PRODUCT UP.

>> Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> IT'S A SOY BEAN.

>> Huell: YOU'RE POISONING THEM?

>> NO, WE STERILIZE THE QUEEN.

IT REDUCED THE COLONY MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE THAN A CONTACT SPRAY.

>> Huell: OH, SO YOU'RE NOT SPRAYING A PESTICIDE?

>> NO, IT'S MUCH MORE AFFECTIVE.

>> Huell: LET'S MEET THE GUY WITH THE HOLE.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHERE TO AIM IT.

>> YOU KIND OF SWING IT BACK AND FORTH AS HE'S GOING AND YOU TRY TO COAT FROM TOP TO AS FAR AS YOU CAN GET.

>> Huell: SO ARE YOU DOING THIS ALL OVER ORANGE COUNTY?

>> ALL OVER THE SOUTH PART RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS MY AREA, SO I TAKE CARE OF THIS AREA.

AND MOST 69--OF THE AREAS HAVE BEEN STERILIZED.

>> Huell: LET'S GET STARTED.

CAN WE STAND RIGHT HERE.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET SPRAYED, ARE WE?

>> NO, WE'LL LET THEM GO BY.

THEY'RE GOING TO FIRE UP THE EQUIPMENT.

>> Huell: FIRE UP, THAT'S NOT A GOOD WORD BECAUSE OF FIRE ANTS.

COME OVER HERE, TROY.

>> IF WE GET BACK, WE CAN SEE THEM FIRING ACROSS.

THEY'LL BE SHOOTING UP THE SLOPE AND COVERING THE AREA.

UP IN THE FAR HILL, GENTLEMEN IS DOING THE TREATMENT UP THERE--.

>> Huell: I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING COMING OUT OF THAT NOZZLE.

>> IT'S VERY FINE PARTICLES.

IT IS A SOY BEAN AND A STERILE PRODUCT IN IT.

THEY JUST LIVE FOUR TO SIX WEEKS AND THEN THEY DIE OFF.

>> Huell: KERNEL THAT MACHINE IS JUST A GLORIFYED GOLF CART.

>> WHEN I TOLD THEM WE WANTED TO SPEND 8,000 TO A GOLF CART, SO I CHANGED TO AN ANT KILLING MACHINE.

>> Huell: THAT HAS A BETTER RING TO IT.

>> WE HAVE A TV THAT HAS ADOPTED--RL.

>> Huell: WE'VE GOT TWO OTHER PEOPLE WE WANT TO MEET.

>> JIMMY CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE OPERATION.

>> Huell: THIS IS AN ATV.

>> WE HAVE A CONTROL SWITCH, THAT WHEN WE'RE GOING, I LIKE TO START WITH THE PARAMETERS AND WORKUP AND DOWN THE MIDDLE.

ON THE BACK, WE TURN THE SWITCH ON.

THIS HERE STARTS TO SPIN AND IT BROADCAST THE DISTANCE OUT.

>> IS THAT THE SAME THING THAT THEY WERE PUTTING OUT THE AKM.

>> YES, BUT THIS CAN DIRECT THAIRZ.

SO WE CAN TAKE CARE OF A BIG FIELD.

IN NO TIME AT ALL.

>> Huell: HAVE YOU NAMED THESE.

HE HAS AN ANT KILLING MACHINE.

>> WE JUST CALL IT THE A TV, BUT I LIKE TO REFER TO IT LUCILLE.

I LEARNED ABOUT THEM AND THEY WANT TO DO PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

>> Huell: SETTING THE WHOLE THING UP.

THIS OUGHT TO BE FUN FOR YOU, YOU GET PAID TO RIDE IN THIS A TV ALL DAY.

>> IT'S A LOT NONE TO DO THIS.

AND WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH.

>> Huell: OKAY.

CRANK IT UP.

NOW YOU'RE NAME IS.

>> I'M CHRIS, AND I'M A ZONE COORDINATOR.

>> Huell: ARE YOU IN CHARGE OF SOUTH COUNTRY.

>> AND I'M CYNTHIA ROSS AND IN CHARGE OF THE SECOND FRONT.

OUR OFFICES IS LOCATED IN BUENA PARK BUT WE COVER, GARDEN GROEF, LA HABRA.

>> WE USE THE ATV AND USE OTHER MACHINES.

WE MOSTLY USE THE A TV AND THE OTHER DAY WE WERE ABLE TO GET THREE SCHOOLS DONE BY 11:00 O'CLOCK.

>> Huell: NOW WE'RE HERE--WHAT ARE YOU PUTTING GLOVES ON?

>> I LIKE TO RIDE WITH GLOVES, IN CASE I NEED TO FIX SOMETHING IN THE BACK.

>> Huell: ALL RIGHT.

SO YOU'RE OBSERVING HOW THEY DO THINGS IN ORANGE COUNTY.

>> YES.

>> Huell: ANTS, MOVE SOUTH TO NORTH OR NORTH TO SOUTH.

>> WE SEE PATTERNS WHERE THE WIND IS BLOWING.

SO THEY FLY UP IN THE AIR--.

>> Huell: THEY MATE IN MIDAIR.

>> YES, SO THAT'S WHERE WE'RE SEEING THE TRENDS.

>> Huell: YOU KNOW, WOVE PICTURES OF EVERYTHING ELSE.

DO WE HAVE ANY STILL SHOTS OF ANY ANTS MATING IN MIDAIR.

>> IT'S A VERY HARD PICTURE TO GET.

THEY WANT THEIR PRIVACY.

>> Huell: BUT THEY ACTUALLY MATE IN MIDAIR?

>> YES.

>> Huell: SO JIMMY, WE'RE READY.

THERE HE GOES.

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS SCHOOL YARD?

HAVE YOU FOUND ANTS HERE BEFORE?

>> WE'VE BEEN TREATING THIS FOR A YEAR NOW AND WE HAVE NOT FOUND ANY ANTS SINCE OUR FIRST TREATMENT.

>> Huell: IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO BE IN THE SCHOOL YARD.

>> RIGHT, THERE ARE OUT HERE PLAYING EVERY DAY.

>> Huell: WHAT IS JIMMY DOING?

>> HE'LL BE MAKING THE LOOPS THROUGH THE WHOLE SCHOOL YARD.

>> Huell: I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU, I THOUGHT I HAD A GOOD JOB, BUT THAT'S A GOOD JOB.

>> YOU CAN COVER THE TERRITORY REALLY FAST.

A SCHOOL YARD LIKE THIS MIGHT TAKE.

>> SEE THAT SLOPE, YOU CAN SEE WHY YOU NEED AN A TV TO COVER THAT AREA.

>> Huell: SO HE'S GOING TO GO UP AND DOWN THE SCHOOL YARD.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE LAY THE BAIT AND THEY FEED IT TO THE QUEEN.

>> Huell: THIS IS INTERESTING.

>> WHAT JIMMY DOES NOT KNOW, IS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HIM CLIMB THAT SLOPE TONIGHT, SO HE'LL GET EXERCISE TODAY.

>> ONE OF THE THING THAT WE MADE THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL.

WE'VE GONE TO THE EMPLOYEES WE'VE ASKED THE EMPLOYEES FOR NEW IDEA.

WE LOOK TO THE IDEAS FROM THE PEOPLE IN THE FIELD.

PLUS TRYING NEW PROJECTS OF ANYTHING.

IF A NEW PLAN DOES NOT WORK, THEN WE TRY SOMETHING ELSE.

>> Huell: SO THIS IS REALLY WORKING.

>> WE'RE EVOLVING AS A PROGRAM.

WE'RE NOT JUST SIGNATURE STILL DOING THE SAME THING.

>> Huell: SO WHEN YOU GO TO OTHER ANT--AND YOU PROBABLY GO TO ANT CONTROL MEETINGS AND TO THEM THAT YOU ARE ERADICATION.

>> Huell: EVERYTHING ELSE IS CON TEMP TO CONTROL.

>> WELL, WE'VE GOT THE CLIMATE.

WE PROVIDE THE WATER TO THE ANT.

WHERE AS IN THE SOUTHEAST, WE'VE GOT THE THUNDERSTORMS, YOU'VE GOT THAT--THEY DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM.

>> Huell: SO WE CAN STOP THEM HERE.

>> WE THINK WE CAN.

>> Huell: WHEN YOU GO TO SHE'S CONVENTIONS, ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT YOU'RE DOING HERE IN ORANGE COUNTY, ARE THEY CATCHING PEOPLE'S EYES.

>> YES, I WENT TO A DIFFERENT STATE AND THEY SNICKERED AT ME.

BUT NOW WE'RE GETTING RESPECT.

>> Huell: WHAT DO THEY SAY WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE AKM MACHINE.

>> THEY ARE JEALOUS, THEY WISH THEY HAD ONE.

>> Huell: LOOK AT ALL THIS STUFF COMING OUT.

AND BASICALLY THIS IS IT RIGHT HERE.

WHAT IS THIS, JIMMY?

>> THIS IS GRIND UP CORN AND IT GOES OUT EASIER.

>> Huell: BOY, LOOK AT THIS STUFF.

YOU COVERED A PRETTY BIG AREA.

I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU FOR DEMONSTRATION PURPOSES, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ANT LIVING HERE.

YOU'RE NAME IS?

>> I'M SEAN.

>> Huell: YOU WERE THE GUY ON THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN.

>> SOME OF THE AREAS WE'VE GOT SLOPES AND IT'S EASIER FOR A PE TO COME DOWN.

>> Huell: HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE UP CLOSE.

>> EXACTLY.

IT SPREADS OUT TO A DISTANCE OF FOUR TO FIVE FEET.

>> Huell: WITH YOU DEMONSTRATE?

>> YOU BET.

SO IF YOU GO DOWN ON A SLOPE, YOU'LL GO DOWN EVERY FOUR TO FIVE FEET.

>> Huell: WHY DO YOU DO IT EVER FOUR OR FIVE FEET.

SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO COVER THE WHOLE AREA.

>> NO.

WE CAN JUST TAKE IT HALF CIRCLE AND A FEW STEPS AND THE ANTS WILL GO OUT AND GET IT.

>> Huell: THIS GETS KIND OF OLD?

>> NO, WE WORK WITH A BUNCH OF GREAT PEOPLE AND LIKE THE KERNEL, SAID, HE LIKES THE TEAM WORK.

>> Huell: DOES HE THINK OF YOU AS HIS ARMY, HIS CREW?

>> YES, LOVINGLY.

>> Huell: HAVE YOU EVER WORKED LIKE THIS.

>> YES, I SPENT SOME YEARS IN THE MILITARY.

>> Huell: LITTLE DID YOU THINK YOU WOULD BE BACK.

>> YES, BUT HE'S GREAT PEOPLE.

>> Huell: NOW WHERE ARE WE?

>> WE'RE IN ANOTHER UNINCORPORATED AREA CALLED COMO DECASA.

>> Huell: WHY ARE WE HERE?

>> WE GOT A CALL, AND WHEN WE GET THAT INFORMATION WE'LL COME OUT AND DO THE INSPECTION AND TREATMENT IF NECESSARY.

>> Huell: SO THERE IS A STATE WIDE NUMBER.

WE'LL HAVE THAT ON THE SCREEN RIGHT NOW THAT PEOPLE CAN CALL.

AND THEN THE STATE CALLS YOU--.

>> YES THE FIRST THING WE CHECK IN THE MORNING, WE CHECK OUT OUR HOT LINES AND WE DISPATCH OUR TECHNICIANS TO THAT HOME.

>> Huell: SO EVERY MORNING YOU CHECK OUT ANTS.

LET'S MEET THE FAMILY OVER HERE, I BET YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD GET NORTERY BY THIS.

>> NO, BUT WE'RE GLAUD CAME OUT.

WE BOUGHT THIS HOUSE LIKE TWO WEEKS AGO AND LO AND BE HOLD, I I'M MOWING MY LAWN, AND I SEE THIS PATCH WITH ANTS IN IT.

I GREW UP IN CALIFORNIA AND I'M USED TO SEEING ANTS.

AND THIS DID NOT LOOK LIKE THE NORMAL ANT HILL.

AND HAVING IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, ABOUT FIRE ANTS, THEY BIT ME.

>> Huell: THEY BIT YOU!

>> YEAH, AND IT WAS LIKE A SIMULTANEOUS KIND OF THING.

>> Huell: SO THEY WERE ATTACKING YOUR HAND.

>> EXACTLY.

>> ONE THING, HUELL, THE HOMEOWNER IS RIGHT, WHEN THEY ALL GET ON YOUR HAND AND LEG OR WHATEVER, IT FEELS LIKE FIRE?

>> YEAH IT SURE DOES.

AND WE KEPT THESE, IT WAS LIKE A LOT LIKE A BEE STING BUT IT SEEMED LIKE THERE WAS THIS RESIDUAL PAIN.

>> Huell: WERE YOU SCARRED PERMANENTLY?

>> NO, IT WENT AWAY AND THERE WAS NO SWELLING FROM A BEE STING.

>> Huell: SO YOU RAN INSIDE AND TOLD YOUR WIFE WE'VE GOT ANTS.

>> YEAH AND OVER CONVERSATION, I SAID I THINK I HAVE FIRE ANTS AND THEY SAID, WELL CALL DETECTIVE CALL--VECTOR.

>>.

>> Huell: AND YOU CAME BACK HERE THE NEXT MORNING.

>> YES.

>> Huell: WHAT DID YOU DO?

WHERE WERE THE ANTS.

>> WELL FORTUNATELY, HE FOUND WHERE ALL THE ANTS WERE.

HE ACTUALLY TREATED SOME WITH A PRODUCT HE BOUGHT, BUT WE DISSCOURAGE PEOPLE NOT TO BUY THOSE.

>> Huell: YOU THOUGHT THIS WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> YEAH, I'M KIND OF A MAD SCIENTIST, YOU DON'T THINK OF ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING.

>> Huell: AND YOU DON'T WANT ANTS WITH YOUR BABY HERE.

>> THAT WAS MY BIGGEST CONCERN.

THEY'RE VERY A GREG I HAVE.

>> Huell: THEY WOULD SWERM ALL OVER HIM.

YOU SAW THAT BABY'S PICTURE IN THE LAB.

THE BABY HAND WAS ALL SWOLLEN.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

>> WE WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE MOUNDS.

>> Huell: WHERE IS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME.

>> IN THE BACK--AND THAT'S THE ONE WE TREATED.

>> Huell: WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT A FIRE MOUNDS.

>> Huell: SO THIS IS A FIRE MOUND.

>> THEY WILL IF YOU GET NEAR IT.

>> Huell: WE DON'T WANT TO BE NEAR THIS THING.

>> THE ANTS ARE THE MOST AGGRESSIVE AND THEY HAVE TO PROTECT THEIR QUEEN.

>> Huell: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> WE PUT THIS THING CALLED ANDRO IT WILL PROTECT THE ANTS FROM EATING, SO THEY WILL STARVE TO DEATH.

THEY WILL NOT PRODUCE THE ENERGY.

>> Huell: THAT'S ANOTHER FIVE TO SIX DAYS, THAT YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH.

>> YEAH, AND JAMES WILL NOT HAVE TO BE COULG AROUND.

>>-CRAWLING AROUND.

>> Huell: DO ANY OF YOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE THIS PROBLEM.

>> WE'RE SO NEW HERE THAT WE DON'T KNOW OUR NEIGHBORS.

>>.

>> Huell: WHAT, NOW THIS IS A WAY--WE'VE GOT A NEW WAY FOR YOUR NEIGHBOR'S TO TEST--THIS LADY IS HOLDING THIS BAG OF PO AT POTATO CHIPS.

>> MY NAME IS MICHELLE HARRISON, AND THIS IS WHAT WE ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO DO.

IF THEY WANT TO TAKE A SAMPLE THEMSELVES.

LET'S SEE IF--.

>> THIS LOOKS VERY HIGH TECH.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING VERY EASY THAT ANYONE CAN DO, EXCEPT FOR THE FAT FREE, THEY DON'T LIKE THE FAT FREE.

>> Huell: SO THE DEAL IS TO PUT POTATO CHIPS DOWN.

>> YES, BUT YOU'LL START IN ONE CORNER, AND LAY DOWN THE PA TO TO CHIPS, WATCH OUT FOR THE BIRDS.

AND THEN GO BACK--MIKE, LET ME SHOW YOU--.

>> THEY'LL GRAB THE CHIPS.

>> Huell: THIS IS LIKE ONE OF THE BAGGY'S THAT WE SAW IN THE LAB THIS MORNING.

>> YES, AND THEY'LL GET THEM AND PUT THEM IN THE FREEZER.

WE SUGGEST THAT YOU USE A Q-TIP AND DAB THEM OFF THAT WAY.

>> Huell: THIS IS A GREAT TEST.

IT'S GOING TO LOOK FUNNY PEOPLE DOWN WITH A BAGY AND Q TIP BUT IT WORKS.

>> IT WORKS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE ANTS BUT WANT TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE THE ANTS.

MAKE SURE THEY'RE NOT FAT FREE, BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING AFTER THE OIL.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO SEND IT IN TO BE IDENTIFIED.

>> Huell: WOW, THIS IS VERY VERY INTERESTING.

AND A WHOLE NEW THING, REALLY.

YOU DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS?

>> NO, IT WAS SOMETHING THAT IS IN THE BACKGROUND, YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FIRE ANTS AND THE FACT THAT THEY'RE COMING BUT NEVER HAD EXPECTED THEM TO BE RIGHT IN MY YARD.

>> Huell: AND TO STING YOU THE WAY THEY DID.

AND IT HURTS.

>> EXACTLY AND THEY STING LIKE A BEE.

>> Huell: IF YOU HAD BEEN PART OF THE ONE PERCENT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE VIOLENTLY ALLERGIC TO THIS.

LIKE BEES, ARE SO ALLERGIC TO THE BITE OF THE HAND THAT IT WILL KILL THEM.

>> I'M GLAD I'M HERE TO TELL THE STORY.

>> Huell: GETS GET A FAMILY PICTURE.

STAND HERE.

DON'T PUT HIM DOWN, YOU'RE JUST LOOKING AT IT.

ARE THE ANTS ALREADY ON THE POTATO CHIP?

>>.

>> NO.

>> Huell: WOW, THIS IS FASCINATING.

I THINK HE WANTS THE POTATO CHIP.

THIS IS FASCINATING.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT ALL DAY.

BUT YOU'RE STORY WILL HAVE MORE OF AN INIMPACT THAN ANYTHING WE CAN SAY OURSELVES BECAUSE YOU EERNSED IT IN YOUR YARD.

>> I'M SO THANKFUL THAT THERE IS A PROGRAM ALSO IN PLACE AND SO SIMPLE TO CALL.

AND CHRIS, AND HIS TEAM ARE OUT HERE IN A DAY.

IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM.

I JUST HOPE THAT THE TREATMENT WORKS.

>> Huell: OH IT WILL.

CHRIS, GET OVER TL, YOU'RE THE MAN THAT IS GETTING THE ANTS OUT.

IS THERE IT IS, RIGHT THERE.

>> WE'RE HOPEFUL THAT THESE ANTS ARE GOING TO BE DEAD IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS.

>> EXACTLY.

AND BECAUSE WE WERE NOTIFYING WHAT WE'RE DOING NEXT WEEK IS A STREET WIDE TREATMENT, NOT ONLY ARE WE THANKFUL THAT WE TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY BUT TAKE CARE OF THE STREETS.

>> Huell: THANK YOU FOR HAVING US OUT HERE.

>> NICE MEETING YOU.

>> Huell: THE BABY'S NAME?

>> JAMES.

>> Huell: NICE TO MEET YOU.

A SUCCESS STORY.

A SUCCESSFUL ERADICATE STORY IN ORANGE COUNTY.

WE FOUND MORE ANTS.

YOUR NAME IS?

>> BETTY WISH.

>> Huell: WHEN DID YOU FIND OUT, HAD YOU ANTS?

>> YESTERDAY.

A MAN CAME OUT AND LOOKING FOR THEM AND FOUND THEM.

>> Huell: YOU HAD NO IDEA THEY WERE HERE BY YOUR DENSE.

>> FENCE--.

>> Huell: ARE YOU SCARED?

>> NO, BUT I'M AFRAID FOR MY DOG.

>> Huell: THEY ATTACK PETS.

>> I WAS TREATING AND I NOTICED FORGERS AND I LOOKED UP AND THE MOUND WAS HERE AND HAD SWERMING OUT AND HAD ALATES.

>> Huell: WHAT?

>> ELATES.

>> Huell: YOU HAD ANTS MATING IN YOUR BACK YARD.

>> I PULLED THAT OUT AND THEY JUST SWERMD HLD.

>> Huell: WE DECIDED WE DON'T WANT TO POKE A HOLE AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO COME IN YOUR BACK YARD.

HAVE YOU BEEN TREATED THIS ONE?

>> YES.

>> Huell: BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY MOUND HERE, AND WE FOUND HERE HERE THAT WE'RE GOING TO OPEN UP AND SEE HOW THEY SEE IF--IF YOU WERE WALKING RIGHT DOWN HERE, YOU WOULD NOT EVEN HARDLY NOTICE THAT.

>> YES, THIS ONE IS VERY WELL HIDDEN.

>> Huell: THAT'S A BIG ONE.

OH LOOK!

CAN YOU PUT YOUR SHOVEL IN THERE?

>> Huell: OH WAIT A MINUTE!

LOOK OVER HERE!

OH GOSH, YOU JUST STEPPED IN THERE.

OH MY GOSH, HE JUST STEPPED IN THAT BY ACCIDENT.

>> YEAH, THAT'S HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD GET STUN.

>> Huell: IF I WOULD PUT MY HAND ON THESE--.

>> THEY WOULD STING YOU IN SECONDS.

THEY DON'T JUMP DO THEY?

>> YEAH.

>> Huell: OH LOOK AT THIS, TROY, LET'S PULL THAT UP SO WE CAN SEE--.

>> IF YOU SEE THESE LITTLE WHITE.

THESE ARE THE LARVAE.

THIS IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO YOUR HAND IF THEY CAME UP THERE.

>> Huell: ARE THEY COMING TO ATTACK YOU?

>> YES, THEY'RE COMING TO DEFEND THEIR LITTLE COLONY.

>> Huell: LOOK THERE IS ONE ON MY SHOE.

THEY'RE COMING RIGHT AT YOU.

>> THEY'RE VERY AGGRESSIVE.

>> Huell: THIS IS LIKE A SWORM AND THEY'RE MAT MADDER THAN HECK.

>> THEY ARE VERY POED RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE LARVAE AND THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT IT.

>> Huell: THEY HAVE SPREAD OUT OVER THIS WHOLE AREA AND THEY'RE GOING TO ATTACK ANYTHING WITHIN THE AREA.

>> IF AN ANIMAL HAD DONE WHAT MIKE JUST DID, YOU CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THE ANIMAL.

>> Huell: LOOK THEY'RE ON MY SHOE.

>> THEY'RE ON MINE TOO.

I SUGGEST WE MOVE OUT OF THIS AREA.

>> Huell: YEAH, AND THIS POOR LADY IS STANDING HERE.

THIS IS NOT GOOD NEWS, ISN'T IT?

>> NO.

>> Huell: THEY'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.

THE KERNEL AND HIS TROOPS WILL TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> RIGHT.

>> Huell: WE HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE ANT HILLS.

>> I THINK WE'RE PRETTY CLEAN.

>> Huell: AND THERE ARE A FEW MORE ANT QUESTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED?

>> WHERE ARE THE ANTS?

>> WELL IT'S A CALIFORNIA RIGHT NOW.

THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN SAN FRANCISCO.

>> Huell: THAT INCLUDES, ORANGE COUNTY, SANTA BARBARA?

>> NOT SANTA BARBARA.

BUT L.A. COUNTRY, SAN BERNARDINO ORANGE COUNTY.

>> Huell: AND THE MOST HID--.

>> SOUTH AND NORTH ORANGE COUNTY, BUT LIKE WE SAID IT'S A STATE WIDE PROBLEM.

THEY'RE PROVIDING ALL MY FUNDING.

>> Huell: ALL RIGHT WE'RE KEEPING THIS HOT LINE NUMBER FOR A LONG TIME SO THAT PEOPLE CAN DO THE POTATO CHIP.

WE STILL GOT SOME POTATO CHIP TEST, SEND IN THEIR BAGGYS TO AN ADDRESS.

THE LAB PEOPLE WILL ANALYZE THEM AND IF THEY FIND THEY'RE FIRE ANTS, THEY'LL SEND YOUR SOLDIERS TO ERADICATE THEM?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A FIVE YEAR PROGRAM.

YOU SAW HOW MANY ANTS THERE ARE.

WE NEED THE CITIZENS OF ORANGE COUNTY AND THE REST OF THE COUNTY TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Huell: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'VE WON?

>> WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE WON.

BUT IT WILL TAKE TIME.

>> Huell: YOU'VE GOT SOME GIFTS FOR US, AS WE LEAVE.

SOME ANTS GIFTS.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE'RE SO HAPPY THAT YOU CAME OUT AND WE BROUGHT SOME GIFTS OF APPRECIATION.

>> Huell: OH ANTS MUGS.

>> YEAH, AND THESE ARE FIRE ANTS MAGNET.

>> Huell: SEE, THERE IS AN ANT ON THE SIDE OF THE MUG.

IS THERE AN ANT ON THE SHIRT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Huell: A MEMO PAD WITH AN ANT ON TOP.

>> THESE ARE OUT REACH MATERIALS AND WE LIKE YOU TO HAVE THEM SINCE YOU'VE HELPED US WITH OUR OUT REACH.

>> Huell: WELL, OH AND A PIN TOO.

OOH, LOOK I GET ONE OF THESE ANT SHIRT WITH AN ANT ON IT.

>> AND YOU KNOW THE NAME SOLANOPSIS INVITA.

>> Huell: WE HAVE LEARNED A LOT.

BUT I HOPE OUR VIEWERS HAVE LEARNED A LOT TOO.

IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE.

AND WE'VE LEARNED FROM YOU, AS A FORMER MARINE CORPS, YOU'VE USED YOUR MARINE TRAINING INTO AN HONEST WAR.

>> WELL I'VE USED SOME OF THAT--BUT LIKE MOST OF THE GREAT PEOPLE YOU MET TODAY, THEY DO MOST OF THE JOB.

WE'RE PUBLIC SERVICE AND WE WANT TO ERADICATE THIS PEST.

>> ERADICATE, THAT'S THE KEYWORD, WE DON'T SAY PEST CONTROL, WE SAY ERADICATE.

JUST LIKE WE DON'T SAY GOLF CART, WE SAY AKM.

>> I THINK YOU NEED TO HELP US.

>> Huell: I ALREADY DID MY TIME.

HERE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN IN ORANGE COUNTY DOING A GREAT JOB HELPING US GET RID OF THE FIRE ANTS THAT SEEM TO BE CRAWLING ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT WITH ANY LUCK AND A COUPLE OF YEARS THE PROBLEM WILL BE OVER AND THOSE PESTY LITTLE ANTS WILL BE ERADICATED.

THANKS A LOT WE'VE HAD A GREAT TIME.

>> WELL WE SPENT THE LAST 45 MINUTES LOOKING AT THE MEAN OL' UGLY FIRE ANTS, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, NOT ALL ANTS ARE BAD.

AND TO KIND OF LIGHTEN THINGS UP A LITTLE BIT AND SETTLE DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

WE'RE GOING TO END UP OUR PROGRAM BY GOING BACK IN TIME ABOUT TEN YEARS AND LOOKING AT AN OL' VIDEO WITH EVERYONE'S FAVORITE UNCLE MILTON, HE INVENTED THE ANT FARM AND HIS ANTS ARE GOOD ANTS.

[WOMEN SCREAMING].

>> Huell: ANTS THEY COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES AND THIS IS A BIG ANT.

FOR THOSE GETTING SCARED, LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT THIS IS NOT A REAL ANT.

THTS IT'S AN OL' CLIP TO AN OLD MOVIE.

NOW THESE ARE REAL ANTS.

THE TECHNICAL NAME FOR GOOD OL' CALIFORNIA HARVESTER ANTS.

AND WHY MIGHT YOU ASK ARE WE LOOK AT THESE ANTS?

THEY HAPPEN TO BE PART OF A HONEST TO GOODNESS ANT EMPIRE.

THEY ARE COUNTING THE MONEY FROM UNCLE MILTON'S CITY.

MONEY FOR ANT ARMS.

UNCLE MILTON ANT FARM TO BE EXACT.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE HAD AN ANT FARM?

IT'S PART OF GROWING UP.

IT ALL STARTED HERE WHEN UNCLE MILTON INVENTED THE ANT FARM.

THE PLACE IS BUSTING, HUNDREDS OF ORDERS COME IN EVERY DAY.

THEY HAVE A WALL COVERED WITH PERSONNEL LETTERS TO UNCLE MILTON.

>> SHOULD I READ THIS.

>> DEAR MILTON, MY BROTHER PEEED ON MY ANT FARM, PLEASE SEND ANOTHER ONE.

>> Huell: SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF LETTERS YOU GET.

MOVING RIGHT ALONG, I WAS READY TO MOVE RIGHT ALONG.

UFRNGNCLE MILTON HIMSELF.

>> Huell: HELLO UNCLE MILTON.

>> HI, HOW YOU DOING.

>> Huell: HOW IS THE ANT BUSINESS?

>> OH BUSY BUSY BUSY.

>> Huell: I WAS NOT SURE WHAT I WAS EXPECTING, BUT I WAS NOT DISSAPPOINTED AS I SPENT THE WHOLE DAY TALKING ABOUT ANT WITH THE ANT TYCOON HIMSELF.

>> WE PUT AN ADD IN THE "L.A. TIMES" MAIL ORDER SECTION AT THE TIME AND THE RESPONSE WAS ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIC.

COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

>> Huell: AND IT HAS NOT STOPPED SINCE?

>> IT HAS NOT STOPPED YET, 88 WAS OUR BEST YEAR.

>> Huell: WHY?

>> WELL, I THINK A LOT OF NAS THOLGIA.

I GUESS YOU CALL THEM GUPPYS THEY WANT ANTS FOR THEM AND THE KIDS.

A LOT OF GRANDPARENTS.

IT'S A GREAT THING AS FAR AS SELLING IS CONCERNED.

IT GOES FROM KISDS ABOUT THIS HIGH TO COLLEGE STUDENTS AND OLDER PEOPLE.

>> Huell: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FASCINATION IS THAT PEOPLE HAVE WITH LOOKING AT ANTS CRAWLING AROUND?

>> IT'S GOING--I'M GOING TO COMPARE IT WITH GOLDFISH.

THESE ARE MORE FASCINATING, BECAUSE YOU CAN WATCH THEM MOVE MOUNTAINS.

THEY ARE VERY VERY STRONG STRONG.

THEY CAN PICKUP ABOUT TEN TIMES THEIR NORMAL WEIGHT.

>> Huell: DO YOU STILL SIT AROUND AND LOOK AT ANTS?

>> OH YEAH.

>> Huell: OR DO YOU GET TIRED?

>> OH YOU DON'T GET TIRED.

WE HAVE SHIPPED OVER 900 MILLION.

AND MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THEM.

WE'RE IN PRACTICALLY EVERY SCHOOL AND EVERY GRADE.

THIS IS FOR OBSERVATION AND IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THERE, YOU SEE THE ANTS ABOUT TEN TIMES THEIR SIZE.

>> Huell: DO YOU SEE ANYTHING INTERESTING?

>> YEAH, THIS LITTLE FILL OWE HERE FILL--FELLOW IS GOING TO PICKUP A GRAIN AND GO THROUGH THE HOLE AND BUILD A MOUNTAIN AND PERHAPS THE OTHER FELLOW IS GOING TO BUILD A TUNNEL.

THIS IS HOW A REAL ANT HILL LOOKS UNDERNEATH.

EXCEPT OF COURSE MUCH BIGGER.

>> Huell: DO ANY OF THESE ANTS KNOW WHAT THE OTHER DOING.

>> WELL ACTUALLY, THE ANT IS KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO BEFORE THEY ARE BORN.

SOME ARE NURSES SOME ARE DOCTORS SOME ARE SLAVES, THEY CALL THEM SLAVES, BUT THEY HAVE THINGS TO DO.

>> Huell: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM ANTS.

>> PERCEVERIENCE, IF YOU AND I WORKED THAT HARD, WE WOULD OWN THE STATION.

>> Huell: IS THIS GOING TO KEEP ON GOING?

>> NO, IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP.

>> Huell: WELL, I COULD HAVE LISTENED TO UNCLE MILTON'S STORY ALL DAY.

BUT I STILL HAD TO GO MEET OTHER PEOPLE.

HIS SON WHERE THEY MAIL OUT ANT AND ANT FOOD AND THE ANTS THEMSELVES WHICH BRINGS UP THE QUESTION WHERE DOES UNCLE MILTON GET THEIR ANTS?

>> WELL WE GET THEM OUT IN THE DESERT, I CAN'T TELL YOU THE LOCATION IT'S A SECRET.

>> Huell: YOU'RE AFRAID SOMEBODY IS GOING TO STEAL THE ANTS?

>> YOU NEVER KNOW, IT'S A COMMODITY TO US.

>> Huell: SO YOU'VE GOT A SECRET LOCATION.

>> WE WON'T TELL.

>> Huell: COME ON.

>> I'M SORRY, WE CAN'T TELL IT'S A COMPANY SECRET.

>> Huell: WELL AFTER PROLONGED DISCUSSION AND OUT RIGHT BEGGING ON MY PART AND AFTER PROMISING NEVER EVER TO TELL WHERE IT WAS.

THEY FINALLY GAVE ME DIRECTIONS TO THEIR ANT PLACE.

WHERE I MET UP WITH ROBIN AND PAULINE WHO WERE HARD AT WORK COLLECTING ANTS.

ACTUALLY SUCKING UP WITH A VACUUM CLEANER.

WHICH IS MUCH DIFFERENT FROM HOW THEY DID IT BEFORE, WHEN THEY PICKED THEM UP ONE BY ONE.

>> WE DIG UP ABOUT TEN HOLES A DAY.

>> Huell: HOW MANY ANTS A DAY.

>> THAT'S DIFFICULT.

>> Huell: YOU COUNT EVER ONE OF THESE ANTS?

>> INTO THE LITTLE VIALS BEFORE THEY'RE MAILED OUT.

>> Huell: THIS IS THE AMAZING, I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS MANY ANTS BEFORE.

HOW MANY ANTS?

THERE, QUICK.

>> 8,000 9,000.

>> Huell: 9,000 ANTS.

I'M AFRAID ONE IS GOING TO BITE ME.

YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEM.

I'M BEGINNING TO SCRATCH JUST BEING AROUND.

>> THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

>> GETTING HELP IS HARD BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> Huell: WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> PEOPLE SAY ANTS, OH MY BAD.

THEY WALK IN AND SEE YOU, AND START ITCHING.

>> Huell: I'M SERIOUS, I FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO ITCH.

IS THAT PSYCHOLOGICAL?

>> YES, IT IS.

EVERYTHING DOES IT.

>> Huell: HAVE YOUR ANTS EVER GOTTEN LOSE IN THE HOUSE?

>> OH YEAH OH YEAH.

>> >> WE SPILLED AN ENTIRE ANT FARM IN THE HOUSE.

>> Huell: THAT'S A SCARY THOUGHT, YOU LITERALLY HAVE ANTS IN YOUR PANTS.

>> OH, YES.

>> Huell: BOY, THIS CAN GET OLD REAL FAST.

>> SEE THAT?

>> Huell: WHAT IS THAT?

>> A HOLE, SOMETIMES YOU FOLLOW THAT DOWN SIX FEET.

>> I DUG ONE THIS MORNING, THAT WAS ALMOST TO MY NECK BEFORE WE HIT IT.

>> Huell: SO THOSE LITTLE CRITTERS GET WAY DOWN.

OH, LOOK THERE THEY ARE!

WE FOUND THEM.

THEY WERE HIDING BUT WE FOUND THEM.

>> Huell: WELL I'VE HAD MY SHARE OF ADVENTURES, BUT THIS HAD TO BE MY MOST INTERESTING OF ALL.

FIRST I MET UNCLE MILTON AND HIS SON STEVE, AND THEN I GOT TO VISIT THE SECRET ANT LOCATION AND NOT ONLY MEET SOME SECOND GENERATION ANT PICKERS BUT GO ON AN HONEST TO GOODNESS HUNT MYSELF.

AND BY THE END OF THE DAY, I LEARNED A LOT ABOUT THIS THING THAT STARTED OUT AS JUST A PRODUCT MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO.

BUT SOMETHING FAMILIAR TO EVERYTHING.

AND IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING, THOSE ANT PICKERS, THEY GET A PENNY AN ANT.

>> Huell: I'M HUELL HOWSER FOR VIDEO LOG.

>> HOW ARE THEY DOING?

>>