Ants and Their Control
Ants are a common pest in many parts of the world. Because there
are many species, it would be impossible to cover them here individually in a meaningful
way. However, we have provided a separate web page on Carpenter
Ants. You may link to that page by clicking
here.
Control Methods
For some species, elimination of breeding spots such as
mulch and other decaying organic matter near a structure can be helpful.
However, once ants start appearing inside, we recommend the use of bait
products as an effective control method.
Bait Stations - Convenient, Low Risk
Of all bait forms, bait stations
offer a convenient, low risk approach for pesticide application. Although often
referred to as "traps", these products are actually feeding
stations where insects can enter and translocate the bait. The
product that we recommend is Maxforce
FC Ant Bait Stations. These may be applied both indoors or
outdoors, but for best results, they should be placed areas that are well
trafficked by ants and away from the sun and rain. They are
effective for a range of ant species.
One important point regarding
the use of bait stations is to leave the areas near the stations undisturbed.
Cleaning or washing the areas near them removes the scent
trails left for other ants need to find the bait.
Granular Baits
Another type of bait is granular bait. We
offer
Niban FG Fine Granular Ant Bait,
a food based bait treated with 5% orthoboric acid It may be applied by evenly
spreading the product or applying it into cracks and crevices as directed. Because this
is a fine granules product, it us suited to range of ant species including pavement ants, pharaoh ants, acrobat
ants and little black ants. But it will also work for larger ants
such as carpenter ants.
Advance
Carpenter Ant Bait, which may be applied
around the outside of the structure and controls a variety of ants, is best
suited for larger ant species such as Carpenter Ants due to its larger particle
size. Smaller ants may be able to take the bait, but they may not be able
to bring the relatively large granules into the smaller nest entrances.
Nonetheless, this product may be used for a number of ant species.
Though this products may be applied indoors, its fish based food ingredient has an odor which some may
find objectionable and thus should be applied into cracks and crevices. On
the outside, the manufacturer recommends that it be applied in one or more piles
from which the ants can grab the bait.
Baits are effective in most cases, but certain species
such as Carpenter Ants and Acrobat Ants have changing food preferences at
different times of the year. Also, some ants species prefer sweets while other
prefer protein based foods. Sometimes, experimenting with different bait
products is necessary.
Gel Baits
Finally, many professionals are using gel baits for
ants. There are several on the market. Based on our experience and
feedback from commercial applicators, there has been a great degree of success
with both Maxforce FC Carpenter Ant Gel and
Maxforce FC Ant Gel.
Fipronil, the active ingredient in both, is "contagious" and affects ants that
make physical with an ant that has touched or consumed the bait.
Traditional Methods
Residual
insect sprays can still be used for most ant species. Most effective is a perimeter treatment applied on both sides of a building's exterior walls. Outside, treatment
should include areas around door
frames and window frames as well as application to the foundation and any other
areas that are vulnerable to entry by ants. Inside, treat around the door frames
and window frames as well as along baseboard areas. Additional treatment
of damp areas may be required in kitchen and bathroom areas. Liquid insect
sprays are best applied using a pin (jet) stream using low pressure rather than
using a
wide fan spray.
There are many liquid and dust materials that may be applied for
control of ants. We sell three products for ant control:
Alpine Insecticide Dust and
Drione Dust and
Permacide P-1. To see
our full
product offering and prices, click
here.
We're Here to Help
We invite you to contact us if
you need more information. In
the US, you may also
contact your local, county Cooperative Extension agency. They may be reached by checking the local telephone directory under county listings. You may
also click here to
link to Cooperative Extension's National Link to their state affiliates (If you
are outside the US, pick any state - there is valuable information here!).
To contact us, you may call during our normal 8 am to 4 pm ET weekday business
hours at
800-433-1128 or 845-356-2837. Our fax number is 845-356-2836.
E-mail may be sent to drbugclinic@bugclinic.com.
If you do not receive a reply, please let us know by resubmitting your letter.
We get a huge amount of SPAM and we may accidentally overlook your
inquiry.
Your questions are welcome. Our advice is free and friendly!
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