Ants can be extremely difficult to control because they are resilient and adept at finding niches where they can thrive. One key to successful ant control is proper identification. Once you know what ant species you are trying to control, it is easier to put together an ant management program. The following outline should help you identify the ant species that are often the biggest pests for customers.
Ants can be divided into two groups: those with one node and those with two nodes. The segment between an ant’s thorax and abdomen is called a pedicel and has either one or two segments called nodes. Ant species with only one node include:
- Argentine ants
- Carpenter ants
- Crazy ants
- Ghost ants
- Odorous house ants
- White-footed ants
Ant species with two nodes include:
- Fire ants
- Pharaoh ants
- Little black ants
- Pavement ants
There are four key elements of an effective ant program that will help make control simpler and more successful:
- Thorough inspection: Inspect for ants both indoors and outdoors. Pay close attention to foliage, exterior cracks, gaps, entryways and wet areas that could be a source of food or water.
- Indoor treatment: It is sometimes necessary to treat trails of foraging ants indoors, such as areas around doors and windows. These trails and their surrounding areas can be spot-treated with Demand® CS, Arilon® or Tandem® insecticides. If trails are located indoors, Optigard® Ant or Advion® Ant gel baits can be used in cracks and crevices in areas where ants have been seen.
- Outdoor baiting and spot treatments: Offer an alternative food source by applying Optigard Ant or Advion Ant near the foraging trails outside of a structure. For spot treatments, drench ant colonies with a liquid insecticide. Inspect landscape ornamentals that are close to the home. Soil or foliar treatments with a systemic insecticide, such as Tandem or Optigard Flex, can control honeydew-producing insects that feed on the landscape ornamentals. Eliminating ant food sources, such as honeydew-producing insects, can also eliminate the ant population.
- Perimeter application: Demand CS and Demand EZ insecticides are effective as perimeter treatments, which are helpful when ants are trailing from an adjacent structure. When applied at recommended rates, Demand CS and EZ create a complete control band around a structure by releasing more than 10,000 microcaps per square inch of treated surface. Arilon is also effective as a large-volume application. It can be diluted and applied at high volumes to provide comprehensive coverage, resulting in more thorough control.
By following these four steps and utilizing the broad range of products offered by Syngenta, you can win the battle against invading nuisance ants. For more detailed instructions on ant identification and control, download the ANTSwers brochure from Syngenta.
©2016 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Advion®, Arilon®, Demand®, For Life Uninterrupted™, Optigard®, Tandem® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta Customer Center: 1-866-SYNGENT(A) (796-4368).
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