ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES
ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES |
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For more information,
contact Donna Reynolds, Extension Assistant Editor
AUBURN, MARCH 5---Fire ant baits are the least labor intensive, and often the longest lasting, method of fire ant control. Baits work on ant colonies with visible and non-visible mounds, such as newly established colonies.
Fire ant baits may differ in actual ingredients, but they work on the same principle:
(Bait = carrier + food attractant + active ingredient (insecticide or insect growth regulator).
The food attractant (often soybean oil) makes fire ant workers pick up the bait particles and carry them back to the nest. The active ingredient is passed around from one ant to another and it eventually reaches the queen and the brood. The insecticide's active ingredient acts slowly. This gives the worker ant time to bring the bait back to the nest before it dies. An insect growth regulator as the active ingredient in a bait doesn't kill worker ants. Instead the growth regulator interferes with the development of the brood and/or the egg- laying capability of the queen. Baits containing an insecticide will generally give noticeable reductions in fire ant workers in a couple of weeks. Insect growth regulators may require one to three months before noticeable results are seen.
Fire ant baits work well if they are used properly. They are usually used at a rate of 1-1.5 pounds of formulated bait per acre. It's important to follow all directions on the label.Baits can be applied as a broadcast application, or they can be sprinkled around (not on) individual fire ant mounds. Often, it's unnecessary to broadcast bait over an entire area. A perimeter treatment or treatment where the fire ants are in the greatest concentration, may be sufficient. For more information on this technique, get a copy of circular ANR-175, Imported Fire Ants in Lawns, Turf, and Structures, by Pat Cobb and Faith Oi from the county Extension office.
When baits are to be applied to large areas, a fertilizer or seed spreader with a fire ant plate (such as a Herd spreader) can be used. For smaller areas, hand-cranked seed spreaders can be used (for example, Cyclone seed spreader or Ortho Whirlybird). For intermediate-sized areas, a backpack granular applicator is useful. Baits also can be broadcast aerially, if they are registered for that type of application.
Steps to the successful use of fire ant baits:
1. Store ant bait in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry place so it doesn't get rancid. Do not store more than two years.
2. Avoid disturbing the ants right before applying the bait.
3. Apply the bait when ants are searching for food (when soil temperatures are between 70-90F). In summer, late afternoon or evening applications are best.
4. Avoid applying just before a rain or when the foliage is wet.
5. Broadcast the bait, or apply it as directed around, not on, the mound.
6. Fire ant baits can take two weeks to several months to reduce the number of fire ant workers. Wait an appropriate period of time before deciding if the bait has been effective.
Recently, two new fire ant baits, Extinguish and Distance, have been marketed.