Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
transporting invasive ants will also
continue, which could only be checked by
effective quarantine measures.
can be followed back to the nest, revealing
the source of the problem and offering clues
about additional nesting locations that may
be present on the property.
Once the species is identifi ed, a thorough
inspection of the structure and the adjoining
property is necessary to determine where
the ants are a problem. Food lures (e.g.
bottle caps fi lled with peanut butter, canned
tuna or sugar water) can be used to attract
the ants and then follow them back to the
nest. Trails can be followed back to nests to
determine where the ants are entering the
structure and where they are nesting (inside
versus outside). Such observations take
time, but are worth the effort because the
collected information will ease treatment
options. For example, the knowledge that
the ants' nest is located outside the structure
will help avoid unnecessary indoor
treatment.
Ant colonies are highly mobile and they
quickly move to new locations when
disturbed. Therefore, pest management
professionals (PMPs) should treat the nest
as soon as it is discovered because killing
the nest is the most effective way to
eliminate the ants. Plants surrounding the
structure are another good place to look for
ants because plants are the primary feeding
source for most ants. Ants are attracted to a
wide range of annual and perennial plants,
especially those that harbour honeydew-
producing insects, are fl owering and pro-
ducing nectar, or have extra-fl oral nectaries.
Several observations may be necessary to
determine where the ants are most active.
Conditions conducive to ant infestations
such as wood piles close to the house,
potted plants, leaking irrigation, faulty
seals and others should be checked for
potential nesting sites and entry points.
The best control is achieved when the nest
locations are known and all nests are
treated directly.
Ant Management Strategies
Inspection and identifi cation
The fi rst step in successful ant management
is the correct identifi cation of the pest
species. The next step is to learn about the
biology of that species, such as its nesting
and feeding preferences, range in colony
size and activity cycles. Knowing what
species of ant is present is important to
determine the most likely nesting site, food
preferences and the best method of control.
Although the North American continent is
home to approximately 1000 species of
ants, only about 15 are considered important
urban pests, greatly simplifying the
identifi cation process. Furthermore, in
many areas of the USA, two or three species
account for more than 50% of problem ants,
simplifying identifi cation even further. In
most cases, no specialized knowledge or
equipment is necessary to identify the most
common pest ants. With careful observation
and a little practise most pest ants can be
identifi ed to species level using the naked
eye, a hand lens, noting down general body
size and colour, and certain behavioural
cues. Live ants observed in the fi eld are
easier to identify than dead ants preserved
dry or in alcohol. There are several reasons
for this. First, live ants retain their natural
body shape, size and colour, which are
important identifying characteristics. Dead
ants may shrivel up and make identifi cation
more diffi cult. Second, live ants offer
important behavioural cues especially
when observed under fi eld conditions.
These cues include speed of movement,
trailing and foraging activity, and nest con-
struction patterns. Third, live ants observed
under fi eld conditions are in close proximity
to their preferred nesting environment,
which may also offer important identifi -
cation cues (e.g. characteristic mounds, tree
nesting, turf nesting, nesting under objects,
disturbance specialist). Finally, live ants
Determining treatment threshold
Establishing a clear pest treatment threshold
with the customer is just as important as the
inspection. Customers who request pest
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