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Using baits for fire ant controlFire Ants can be one of the worst insect problems to homeowners, animal owners, landowners, and to anyone or anything that encounters them. Fire Ants are very capable of causing serve allergic reactions to humans and sometimes death to livestock and pets. It is very easy to recognize when you have fire ants simply by recognizing the mounds that they build in your lawn or pasture when they are present. Once you located fire ants on your property you want to take steps immediately to control them. Fire Ant Bait is an insecticide that insects sense to be food. In the case of ants, workers find the bait and carry it back to the colony where it is fed to the larvae, workers and queen. Most fire ant baits are similar in appearance and in their handling and application methods. The baits are small and are usually yellow granules. Baits consist of three components which are corn cob granules that distribute the active ingredient, soybean oil that serves as an attractant and the active ingredient which is the actual insecticide that affects the ants. Although active ingredients have different modes of action they all serve to break the life cycle of the colony resulting in its death. Fast acting baits actually kill the queen and to varying degrees worker ants. Baits containing insect growth regulators do not kill workers or queens. Instead they disrupt larval development causing the colony to gradually die out. Consequently this method can be very slow. It is important not to confuse bait granules with contact insecticide granules and how to use each of them. Baits are yellowish, oily and have a toasted corn smell. Granular contact insecticides are usually gray or brown and have a neutral or unpleasant chemical smell. Most broadcast baits work more slowly than contact insecticides but last longer because the faster a bait works the sooner the area is open for reinvasion. When we use baits to control fire ants we use one of two methods broadcasting or individual mound treatment. Its important that when you select a bait that you determine if it is for mound treatment or broadcast treatment or both. Broadcasting is when you apply the bait to an entire area and treating a mound is when you apply the bait directly to an individual mound. The area you want to treat and the amount of infestation you have will help you decide which method is more effective. If you have a home lawn and can recognize just a few mounds it will then probably be more economical to treat each individual mound. If you have a large area or acreage it could take you hours just to locate each of the colonies and a broad cast method would be more effective. With the broadcast method even the smallest most well hidden colony will likely pick up an effective dose of bait. Other advantages of broadcasting baits is that it is usually the least expensive, they control an area for a longer period of time, and less time and labor is involved. Baits also pose very little threat to people, pets and wildlife. Most broadcast baits are applied at a rate of 1 to 1.5 pounds per acre of land. 1.5 pounds of material per acre is very little material and you must have the proper equipment to apply the bait. Most consumer type baits are designed to be applied with fertilizer spreaders and use rates of more than 10 pounds per acre. Over application offers little or no additional benefit in control, but will take more money out of your pocket. Some other key points that make the bait treatment successful is to distribute when the ants are actively foraging for the oil on the bait, to use fresh bait, to use bait promptly and not let it sit on the shelf, and to not allow the baits to come in contact with water. There are over 20 brand name baits on the market at the local retail stores but with any of them and proper use, you can expect 80 to 95 percent control lasting three to 12 months depending on the weather. It is important that we realize that no product gives 100 percent control overnight or does it last forever. Always remember to follow the label and safety precautions. Date: 6/28/07
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