Controlling Argentine ants in residential settings (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).

摘要

The efficacy of five treatments to control Argentine ants around homes was evaluated. Most effective was a combination of a perimeter spray with fipronil+broadcast application of bifenthrin granules (93% reduction of ants after 8 wks). A sweet water bait with 0.001% imidacloprid provided ~80% reduction of ants for one month. All of the treatments significantly reduced ant activity, and at the end of the study 95% of the homeowners rated the treatments as "very effective." In a survey of homeowners living in a neighborhood infested with Argentine ants, >70% were doing their own ant control using over-the-counter insecticides. However, only 10% of this group reported achieving complete or almost complete ant control. In contrast, of the 20% of homeowners that hired professional pest control services, 63% reported complete or almost complete ant control.