|
Baits by themselves will not usually control
argentine ants; also employ exclusionary tactics.
|
Managing
Argentine ants with baits
- Sweet sugar baits such as boric acid (use low concentrations
with less than 1% of the active ingredient) are highly attractive
to Argentine ants throughout the year
.
- Protein baits are attractive to ants in spring when colonies
are producing new offspring. (Baits like fipronil or hydramethylnon
are effective.)
- Place baits in late spring or early summer when populations
are low
.
- Place baits outdoors; avoid indoor baiting as that may attract
more ants into the home.
- Place baits near nests, trails, or along foundations.
- Baits should be placed in protected areas away from children
and pets.
- Offer small portions of each bait to see which one is preferred
before employing an extensive baiting program.
- Follow up regularly to make sure bait is working and place fresh
bait as necessary.
How
baits work
- Worker ants are attracted to the bait and take it back to the
nest where the entire colony, including queens, may be killed.
- Bait must be slow-acting so workers won't be killed before they
get back to the nest.
- Results may not be evident for several weeks.
- Killing workers does little to control the colony, because as
few as 1% of a colony's foraging worker ants are able to provide
sufficient food to support nestbound queens and larvae.
- Bait stations or ant stakes are easiest to use and safest for
the environment .
|
