Pest Management Professional, October 2013

tips tricks ANTS Continued from page 104 political and regulatory trends By definition baits combine an active ingredient with an attractive food source Natural foraging behavior provides a window of opportunity for a PMP to provide invading ants with a resource that will be collected and purposefully returned and shared with colony mates The result is forcing the ants to deliver the controlling insecticide themselves However field experience taught us making ants harvest a bait in sufficient quantities to reach the critical colony members queens and brood isnt as easy as it seems Ants have specific biological requirements that dictate what and when different types of foods are collected Ant species identification is the fundamental first step in management Feeding preferences and foraging behaviors should be researched for the local species challenging PMPs These behaviors must be considered when choosing a bait An effective active ingredient wont perform if the bait matrix food water attractants doesnt match the foraging needs of the colony To read more of Bayers ant tips visit www mypmp net s ant tips cat all FMC Professional Solutions By Judy Wanner Market Specialist South Central US Tawny crazy ants Nylanderia fulva named for their golden brown or reddish brown color and erratic movements are a new invasive ant species that has become a significant problem in Florida Texas and other Southern states during the past few years In some areas of the country theyre still known as Caribbean crazy ants or Rasberry ants after Tom Rasberry the Texas based pest professional who brought the species to national attention Tawny crazy ants range in size from 1 16 to 1 8 in long Their body surface is smooth and glossy and covered with dense hairs Their most important characteristic however is their numbers In Texas weve seen infestations in the hundred of thousands For control measures it helps if your customers cut back plants and trees that touch any exterior walls They should keep sprinklers or leaky hoses from contacting wood and wooden structures Inside clean any food crumbs wipe off excess water from counters seal foundation crevices and replace trash cans to reduce infestation A combination of control products is the best strategy for suppressing tawny crazy ants infestations Be sure to use different products and various modes of action pyrethroids neonicotinoids and pyrazoles to control this species To read more of FMCs ant tips visit www mypmp net s ant tips cat all Terminix By Stoy Hedges BCE Three kinds of animals fight battles in formations humans crows and ants Perhaps thats why various species of pest ants still hold the title as the No 1 invader of homes and businesses Carpenter Argentine fire and pavement ants remain the most widespread pest ants But during the past 20 years a number of exotic ant species have become established within the U S and are expanding their territories A number of ant species go by the common term crazy ants and belong to two ant genera Paratrechina and Nylanderia Three species are regular structural pests the common crazy ant the robust crazy ant and the tawny crazy ant previously known as the Caribbean or hairy crazy ant The tawny crazy ant found in certain counties in Florida and Texas might be the most difficult ant to control Known for their zigzagging frenzied swarms tawny crazy ants primarily are spread through shipments of landscape plants shipping containers and similar goods Perimeter treatments to foundations have limited often short term effectiveness on these ants Insecticide granules containing bifenthrin or fipronil follow these products labels carefully might provide relief in some cases but the key is persistence with frequent service visits employed as necessary To read more of Terminixs ant tips visit www mypmp net s ant tips cat all Nisus Corp By Ron Schwalb A C E National Technical Manager Ant identification is probably the most important aspect of an integrated ant management program Through proper identification youll know the biology of that ant so you can ask the right questions about it Does this ant nest outdoors to enter structures or can it establish a nest indoors In what areas does it prefer to build colonies indoors and outdoors What types of habitat does this ant prefer Whats its food preference Will it be attracted to bait Will this ant population be affected by chemical applications and move or will they split their colony across other locations All aspects of an integrated pest management program are important but without proper identification professionals wont know the best control measures to use These measures include knowing where the ant colonies could be located what bait formulations might be best and what overall control program can be used for maximum control Train how to identify the ant species in your area To read more of Nisus ant tips visit www mypmp net s ant tips cat all TAP Pest Control Insulation LLC By Rick Harris Vice President of Sales and Marketing Carpenter ants are the largest of the species typically found in attics Depending on your location carpenter ants can be red black or a combination of the two Theyre a wood destroying organism WDO so its import to find the nest quickly and efficiently Carpenter ants initially are attracted to these areas via overhanging tree limbs or electrical service wiring Damp rotting wood is commonly found near weathered roofing cement on vent pipes improper flashing around chimneys skylights or other structural junctions or roof penetrations The ants move in and hollow out wooden trusses joists rafters and fascia boards to create galleries With a constant supply of water and easy access to food carpenter ant colonies can flourish and the resulting damage can be extensive Carefully inspect these areas and treat with residual dusts or baits as appropriate and according to the label To read more of TAPs ant tips visit www mypmp net s ant tips cat all 106 October 2013 Pest Management Professional www mypmp net