Argentine Ant
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This is a nuisance type ant to people however it is an aggressive type of ant toward other ant species in their territory area. They will also attack and eat other types of household insects including roaches. Different colonies are not aggressive toward each other as is the case with a lot of insect types. These ants colonize in large numbers anywhere from several hundred to several thousands workers and multiple queens. During Spring and Summer they nest in the usual places such as water pipes sinks, potted plants, under stones, concrete slabs, landscape rocks, and foundation grass line areas. They are mobile and will move if necessary for food considerations. During the fall they move the whole colony indoors or deep in the ground for warmth.
Workers will sometimes nurture aphids and other small pests for their honey due producing abilities. Sweets such as honey dew fruit juices, and plant secretions are a preferred food source
They will also eat seeds, even attack poultry chicks, and disturb beehives in search of honey.
In their search for food they will track across a number of areas including refuse and sewage
which has the potential for them to carry dysentery and other filth related diseases.
Control is a multi step process. Try to remove as much excess leaf and wood debris to minimize harborage sites. Trim back any landscape plant branches or limbs so they do not use this as a bridge to the structure. Repair any gaps, cracks, or holes on the exterior of the structure to minimize entryways and harborage sites.
******There are several residual products in the form of aerosols, liquids, and granules that are labeled to control ants. This is not the best type of products to use unless you have to gain immediate control in a particular area. This type of treatment kills the ones you see but has no effect on controlling the problem from where it starts, the colony, which is behind the wall, under the slab, or under some other object. With ants the workers take the bait to the larvae where they process the particle bait to a liquid then transfer it to the other colony members and control is achieved in this manner. Baits in general are the best method for ant control.******
There are different methods of control. These include bait application, residual spray, and granule application. The residual may be in the form of aerosols or liquids. The baits may be in the form of a gel or particle. I prefer the particle bait method because the ants you see take it to the ants you don’t see and the Niban products in particular because the particles are water resistant through up to 4 inches of water. They contain protein and carbohydrate food attractants on the particles. Sometimes ants have a protein or meat preference and sometimes they have a carbohydrate or sweet preference. This bait works well through sprinkler cycles, rain, or heavy dew. The particle size is about the same size as a lot of the organic matter they typically feed on. It also controls other pests such as Roaches, Crickets, and Earwigs, which are found in the same general area as ants. This could applied at the foundation perimeter of the structure, landscape areas, and yard areas. It could also be applied in the structure in areas such as warehouse or storage areas, behind large items, sink pipe void areas, inside light and electrical switch plate covers, inside
Bathtub over flow cover areas if accessible, under baseboards, garages, out buildings, and sheds. These include
Niban FG Insect Bait 1 lb. btl,
Niban Insect Bait 5 lb. Shaker Bag,
Niban Insect Bait 40 lb. Bag.
The snuffers work great for the interior void areas because it has an extended tip to reach inside these areas.
Other particle bait products include
Maxforce Fine Granular Insect Bait 10 oz. btl,
Maxforce Fine Granular Insect Bait 6 lb. Btl,
Maxforce Granular Insect Bait 10 oz. btl,
Maxforce Granular Insect Bait 6 lb. btl,
Maxforce Granular Insect Bait 25 lb. btl,
Advance Granular Ant Bait 12 oz. btl,
and Advance Granular Ant Bait 6 lb. btl.
The best way to apply particle baits is with a
14 oz.Centrobulb Duster.
For ant activity on the inside there are good gel products such as
Maxforce Ant Gel Bait 60 gram Tube each,
Maxforce Ant Gel Bait 60 gram tube 3/box,
Maxforce FC Ant Gel Bait 30 gram Tube each,
Maxforce FC Ant Gel Bait 30 gram Tube 4/box,
Uncle Albert’s Super Smart Ant Bait 43 gram Tube,
Terro Ant Killer Gel Bait 16 oz. Btl,
Ant Cafe Bait Stations 8/pk are small empty stations you can fill with liquid, gel, or particle baits. This provides a good container to place where needed. Some people like to use their own “recipe” of ingredients for ants and other small insects. Phantom Termiticide-Insecticide 21 oz. btl
is for interior use only at specified areas.
Termidoe SC Termiticide-Insecticide 20 oz. btl is for exterior use only at specified areas and intervals. Termidor and Phantom are liquid ant bait concentrates. The Termidor is available to Pest Control Operators with proof of a Termite License.
Bait Stations are another control option these include
Advance Dual Choice Ant Bait Stations 6/pk,
Dual Choice Ant Bait Stations 36 ct Bag,
Terro PCO Ant Killer Bait Stations 7/bag,
Terro PCO Ant Killer Bait Stations 28 ct Box. Sometimes these don’t work as fast as placing gels, liquids, or particle baits right at the activity area. People tend to leave these out too long and they pick up particles of cleaning supplies or other contaminates which makes them not as attractive as a food item. These also need to be placed out for a problem then taken back up within a week or so to keep them as fresh as possible. They need to be stored in a re-sealable plastic bag to keep the freshness Then use as necessary.
Aerosol control products include both residual and contact materials. Residual products leave behind material to remain active for a further length of time. Residual products include items such as
Cy- Kick 17.5 oz. can,
Invader HPX 14 oz. can, and
D-Force HPX 14 oz. can. Contact products include items such as
PI 18 oz. can,
PT 565 Plus 20 oz. can,
CB 80 Extra 17 oz. can.
Liquid residual concentrates are mixed with water at label rates as needed. These are products such as
Demand CS 8 oz. or
Demand CS 1 qt.,
Suspend SC 1 pt.,
Tempo SC 240 ml,
Tempo Ultra WP 420 gram btl,
Talstar Pro 1 pt. or
Talstar Pro ¾ gal,
Viper 4 oz.,
Demon WP 4-9.5 gram bags per pk,
Demon WP 1 lb. jar,
Demon EC 1 pt.,
Cy-Kick CS 1 pt. or
Cy-Kick CS 120 oz..
Viper RTU is a ready to use pre mixed product in a 1 gal. container with a handy sprayer attached to a 1-foot hose. These materials can be applied with a
1 gal. Poly Sprayer or a
2 gal. Poly Sprayer. For foundation perimeter application or yard application use a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 486 or a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 362. The mound drench method works by slowly applying the material so it runs down the tunnels from the top to the bottom.
Sometimes this does not completely reach all the tunnels and the ants could escape and shift over to build new tunnels to the top.
Another control method is insecticide granules. These materials include
Talstar PL 25 lb bag and
Delta Gard 20 lb. bag. These products are applied with a hand spreader such as a
Scotts Handy Green 2 Hand Spreader. These materials work well when applied and even better when watered in. They are applied at the foundation perimeter and yard areas.
Applying insecticide dust in the void areas such as gaps, cracks, or holes in walls or other areas
is a good control measure after the immediate problem is controlled. The weep holes could use an application also this would control pests entering through this area. These products include
Delta Dust 1 lb. btl,
Delta Dust 5 lb. btl,
Borid 1 lb. btl, or
Borid 5lb. btl. The insecticide dust is best applied with a
Crusader Hand Duster. The dust works by applying a light amount in the target area. The pests then walk across it, picks it up on their body then ingests the dust as they and other nest mates groom themselves. The dust is a stomach poison and control is completed in this manner. If too big of a placement is applied they will avoid the area. A lot of social insects will detect sickness or exposure to poisons in members and will kill them before they can affect the whole colony.
Copper mesh is a good product to fill the weep holes with. Since it is made of copper it won’t leave streaks down the foundation and the mesh is wide enough to allow adequate ventilation behind the bricks. This includes products such as
Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. roll,
Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. Precut, and
Stuf-Fit Copper Mesh 100 ft. Roll.
Glueboards are a good tool to use because they serve to control the insect, monitor for activity and if any is found observe which way the insect is captured. This will allow you to backtrack to find possible harborage areas or entryways. We carry
Catchmaster CM MB 72 72 ct box,
Catchmaster CM MB 72 8 ct pk, or
Trapper LTD 72 ct box.
Always read and follow label directions. For additional information call Do It Yourself Pest Control Supplies at 972-562-9999, 903-891-8818, or 866-562-8999.
