Baits by themselves will not usually
control pavement ants; also employ other tactics. |
Managing pavement ants with
baits
- Both sweet baits such as boric acid (low concentrations
with less than 1% active ingredient) and protein baits
(products containing fipronil or hydramethylnon) are attractive
to pavement ants.
- Place baits near trails and other locations where ants
are likely to encounter them.
- Place baits outdoors; avoid indoor baiting as that may
attract more ants into the home.
- Place in protected areas 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.
- If treating colonies in heat ducts, treat only with baits.
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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