Evaluation of An Ant Bait against Linepithema Humile in Australia

Abstract:
Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) has been present in Australia for approximately 100 years and has spread to many areas of temperate climate in southern Australia. Argentine ant has proven to be difficult to control under Australian conditions with the insecticidal products available up until now. During 2007 a new experimental ant bait containing both pyriproxyfen and hydramethylnon was tested against Argentine ant on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. The combination of the two active ingredients incorporated into a special matrix proved to be both very attractive to Argentine ant and effective in reducing populations over a ten week period during autumn. Further work is planned to investigate the effects of repeat treatments over a full spring-summer period.