Evaluation of Baits for Control of African Bigheaded Ant and Other Nuisance Ants in Darwin, Australia

Abstract:
Darwin is the largest city in northern Australia, located above the tropic of Capricorn and experiences a tropical monsoon climate. A wide range of invasive and nuisance ants are present in and around Darwin and considered significant urban pests. These include African Bigheaded Ant (Pheidole megacephala), Singapore Ant (Monomorium destructor), and tropical fire ant (Solenopsis geminata), among others. A trial was commenced in October 2007, prior to the monsoon season, to evaluate the efficacy of a number of new granular ant baits for control of African bigheaded ant specifically. Whole suburban properties were treated with a single bait and each bait was replicated over several properties. The greatest impact of baiting was evident for P. megacephala with greater than 90% reduction in ants attending observation lures after 6 weeks. The effects of baiting on other species varied widely with some species reduced in numbers and others increasing, presumable due to the reduction in competition from P. megacephala.