|
How-to Control Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ant control
CONTROL. Never use the typical liquid or dust pesticides since they are very repellent, versus non-repellent baits such as Maxforce Ant Killer Bait, and Maxforce Insect Granules-Fine (containing boric acid, hydramethylon, Fipronil or sulfonamide) actually makes the situation worse by causing the colony to “bud” into several colonies at the slightest sign of danger. Immediately after any such application, a false sense of control is given during the week after for the colonies to relocate and reorganize since the ants are not seen. Afterwards, the ants resume their foraging activity and again become visible. This vicious cycle is often repeated many times.
A thorough initial inspection is critical to determine the ant location(s). Be sure to look primarily near moisture sources (potted plants, sinks, etc.) and secondarily near food sources (pet dish, microwave, garbage can, window sills while looking for dead insects, etc.). I suggest prebaiting with non-toxic mint-apple jelly which can help to locate the ants. Outside, thoroughly inspect the building perimeter and flat roofs, being sure to look for puddles of water collecting on this type of roof. On roofs they will be found only in shaded areas, so inspect in the early morning and again in the late afternoon because the shaded areas change with the sun's position.
Baiting is the most effective method of control. Use one bait station or bait droplet placement per line of ants. Locate it as close as is practical to where the ants are entering and or exiting from the wall, ceiling, appliance, switch -plate cover, etc., but place the droplet of station such that the likelihood of bait station disturbance is minimized.
If the Pharaoh ant infestation is in a multifamily building, the only way such an infestation can be eliminated is inspection and treatment of the entire building. Otherwise, ants will move from non-treated units into ant-free units.
If the ants are nesting in the ground on the outside, a perimeter barrier application utilizing a microencapsulated (Suspend SC) or a pyrethroid (SAGA) wettable powder formulation is helpful.
Pharaoh ants will nest in debris collected on flat roofs and/or those nesting inside will go outside onto flat roofs in warm weather for water and food (dead insects). They typically enter/exit via poorly caulked/defective windows, under the flashing, and/or through weep holes. If the ants are nesting on the roof, treat the roof-wall junction as another building perimeter but include any weep holes. If the ants are nesting in the building, place the bait stations in protected locations such as under the flashing; otherwise, put each in a plastic mouse bait station which is secured by weighting it down with a brick.
Be sure remember about Pharaoh ant biology and control strategy using baits. They must understand that they must not spray or disturb the ants or the bait stations!
Suspend SC
SAGA
Maxforce Ant Killer Bait
Maxforce Insect Granules-Fine
Combinations of the last four materials can be obtained as a kit for best control of these ants. Look for Pest King Three Way Ant Bait Kit
Baiting is good to utilize inside in a planned baiting attack, such as every 4 – 5 feet in infested rooms. Be sure to draw a diagram showing bait placements so you can go back in a couple of days to monitor and make certain that ample bait is available and is still being consumed. I like to recommend the Pest King Three Way Bait kit
When using the granular bait with the four way kit, sprinkle the bait along the outside of the structure from 3” to 16” wide to form a complete “barrier” of bait such that the ants will have to pass through you “mine-field” in order to get inside the structure.
If you can not find the pest control product or products you are looking for call us toll free at 1-866-545-9064 and we will find it for you in one of our alternate shipping warehouses. Our home office is located in Houston, Texas with warehouses located throughout the United States that enable us to service all 50 states including New York NY, Los Angeles CA, Miami, FL. Chicago, IL., Denver CO., El Paso, Texas, Dallas TX, San Antonio, TX, Austin, TX, Boise ID, Atlanta GA, Albuquerque NM, Raleigh-Durham NC, Washington DC, Albuquerque NM, Huntsville AL, Fayetteville AR, Norfolk VA , Madison WI., Corpus Christi, TX, Plano, Texas, Garland, TX, Laredo, Texas, Lubbock, TX.
|
