Baits by themselves will not usually
control odorous house ants; also employ other tactics. |
Managing odorous house ants with baits
- Odorous house ants prefer sweet baits such as boric acid
(use low concentrations with less than 1% of the active
ingredient).
- Odorous house ants may sometimes feed on protein baits
(look for products containing fipronil or hydramethylnon).
- Place baits in protected areas near distinct trails indoors
and outdoors.
- Place baits in locations inaccessible to 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 will be 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.
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