FLUORO-OCTANE-SULFONAMIDE (ALSTAR®) FOR CONTROLLING TAPINOMA MELANOCEPHALUM (F.) (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

Abstract:
Controlling Tapinoma melanocephalum (F.) can be extremely difficult and lengthy since the ants’ appearance inside a building may vary by day and the location. There are no long lasting ant trails like in other species and even the preference for food may vary within the day (carbohydrates, fruit juice, dead insects, fresh bloody meat). The product ALSTAR® containing fluoro-octane-sulfonamide as active ingredient has been applied to a six-story residence hall since March 1998. The building contains 108 bedrooms, 42 bathrooms, 7 halls, as well as office facilities and a swimming pool in the basement together with changing rooms. All infestation spots within the hall and their exact location have been investigated by use of concentrated sugar and honey solution baits giving the following results: 6 kitchens and 49 of the bedrooms infested with T. melanocephalum together with 6 of the halls and 25 of the bathrooms. Through 16 infestation checks the number of infestation spots went down gradually and with fluctuations. Infestation spots were restricted to storie 4 to 6. During the treatment the baits were visited by varying numbers of ants. Distinct ant trails only existed for a short period of time. A massive run on the baits as could be observed for Monomorium pharaonis, have not been observed for T. melanocephalum. Fluoro-octane-sulfonamide is useful for controlling T. melanocephalum, and reduction of the infestation seems to be faster when compared to other applications.