An incredible metal structure is made by pouring molten aluminum into a fire ant colony. The resulting cast is huge, weighing 17.9 lbs. and reaching a depth of 18 inches.
These are the red imported fire ants (RIFA) which are harmful to the environment and their nests are exterminated by the millions in the United States using poisons, gasoline and fire, and boiling water.
From Wikipedia: "Researchers have also been experimenting with extreme temperature change to exterminate RIFAs [red imported fire ants], such as injecting liquid nitrogen or pressurized steam into RIFA nests. Besides using hot steam, pouring boiling water into ant mounds has been found effective in exterminating their nests."
See detailed pictures of the resulting cast at anthillart.com/castings/043
00:00 Intro/hill view
00:10 aluminum pour
00:58 digging
1:32 removing the cast
1:58 washing
2:15 mostly cleaned view
2:25 finished cast