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.
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