Introduction #
There are a few species of ants that have the potential to develop huge colonies over short periods of time. Ants such as Argentine, White-footed, and Tawny Crazy Ants (one noded) or Fire Ants and Big- headed ants (two noded) have been known to develop huge “Mega-Colonies” that can invade customers’ homes across the SE States. Some of these colonies have multiple queens and sometimes millions of individual worker ants can take over entire yards and even entire neighborhoods.
In very heavy infestations a technician must often return 2-5 times the first month to reduce the population in a yard and eliminate the indoor foraging individuals. Sometimes the population can persist for months and require numerous follow-up treatments. Be sure your invasive ant being treated is properly identified!
Mega-Colony Ant Treatment Protocol for One-noded Ants (Argentine, White-footed, and Tawny Crazy Ants) #
Indoors #
- Vacuum dead ants and debris
- Dust wall voids, voids around door and windows
- Use non-repellent insecticide indoor for spot treatment.
- Spot treatment indoors will not be effective in long run if trails are not followed outdoors, and nests are treated.
Exterior Treatment #
Non-chemical Strategy: #
- Ensure all vegetation is pruned away (16-24 inches) from structure to remove access onto structure.
- Clean up debris around the yard.
- Reduce the amount of leaf litter and mulch.
- Dust, then seal with caulk gaps where ants can enter.
- Ensure all doors and window screens on the active side of the structure are tight fitting.
Treatment Strategy: #
Ensure all vegetation containing honeydew-producing insects such as aphids and scales are treated to eliminate these pests (GreenUP) or ensure these plants are treated prior to your service, because ants will be drawn regularly to feed on the honeydew until these pests are eliminated.
Apply a liquid residual surrounding the foundation 1 foot up/ 1 foot out, bases of all trees (Temprid or Polyzone) and on all trailing ants.
Apply a granular residual 5 feet out from foundation interface.
Once populations are lowered, apply a 3–5-foot barrier along edge of property line on regular service visits.
In the spring, place liquid bait devices where colonies reside away from the structure.
Apply .5 oz of granular baits such as Maxforce Complete or Advion Fire Ant bait inside a Protecta Rodent Bait Station near the structure but not against the foundation.
Once populations are lowered around structure, move baited rodent station to outer property line.
In summer during heaviest activity, place out Antopia stations with Intice Thiquid ant bait. Use 1% dilution rate by adding 1 part of Intice Thiquid ant bait to 4 part of water.
Mega-Colony Ant Treatment Protocol for 2-noded Ants (Fire Ants and Big- headed ants) #
Indoors #
- Vacuum dead ants and debris.
- Dust wall voids, voids around door and windows.
- Use non-repellent insecticide indoor for spot treatment. Spot treatment indoors will not be effective if trails are not followed outdoors, and nests are treated.
- Place Maxforce Complete in wall voids using ½ of a drinking straw placed into a Bulb Duster and puffing some bait into a carefully made hole behind electrical plates in the rooms of ant activity.
- If trailing has been occurring along baseboards, spot treat with a labeled residual such as Phantom in areas of activity. Keep people and pets out of treated area until dry.
Exterior Treatment #
- Clean up debris around the yard.
- Reduce the amount of leaf litter and mulch.
- Dust, then seal and caulk gaps where ants can enter.
- Ensure all doors and window screens on the active side of the structure are tight fitting.
- Apply a repellent residual surrounding the foundation, bases of all trees (Temprid or Polyzone) and on all trailing ants.
- Apply a dry granular protein ant bait such as Advion Fire Ant Bait by broadcasting from the foundation out to 20 feet as a band application surrounding the structure. Apply 6 oz per ¼ acre not to exceed 1.5 lbs per ¼ acre per year. Follow label directions for other granular protein baits.
- On heavy big-headed or fire ant mound areas, apply .5 ounces of Advion Fire Ant bait surrounding each mound as well.
- Make applications when irrigation or rain is not projected for the next 2-3 hours.
- Fire ants can be treated effectively every 3 months over the entire yard for an “upgrade” as “yearly fire ant service” if written into the agreement for the specified area(s) listed, at the price on the Rate Card/1000 square feet.
Follow-Up #
ALL MEGA-ANT COLONY TREATMENTS SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP EVERY 7-10 DAYS UNTIL THEY ARE UNDER CONTROL