Pets versus pests: Does the global exotic pet trade favor invasive pests?

Exotic pets — companion animals that are not native to the area where they are kept — can become invasive pests when they escape or are released by pet owners, breeders, collectors and wholesalers

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Fire ants (genus: Solenopsis) are annoying and sometimes dangerous pests throughout the southeastern United States. There are more than 200 species of ants that both sting and bite. (Credit: Stephen Ausmus, USDA / Public Domain)