Improving Urban Pest Ant Management By Low-Impact Ipm Strategies

Two new technologies (spray with a pheromone adjuvant + biodegradable hydrogel bait delivery method) were used to develop a unique IPM protocol for Argentine ant at urban structural settings. The IPM protocol included a one-time perimeter treatment with 0.03% fipronil (mixed with a pheromone adjuvant) at the beginning of the ant season to achieve a quick knock down. The initial spray application was followed by hydrogel baiting with boric acid (1%) as a one-time supplementary or maintenance treatment. This low-impact IPM protocol was compared with other two conventional methods: (1) one initial fipronil application and one pyrethroid spray application for maintenance, or (2) one initial fipronil application and one essential
oil insecticide spray application for maintenance. The protocols were compared for efficacy based on the Argentine ant foraging activity. Insecticide use information and service time were also recorded and compared among different treatment protocols.