Is fall too late to use fireplace ant controls? – Stuttgart Every day Chief

LITTLE ROCK — Extension entomologist Kelly Loftin says he’s gotten fewer calls about fireplace ants this yr, due to persistent drought.

Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply they’re not nonetheless working within the background. They’re nonetheless foraging, Loftin stated. Loftin is with of the Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the College of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

“One query that continuously accompanies a fall fireplace ant name is: Can I apply fireplace ant baits this time of yr?” he stated. “With a number of precautions, the reply is sure — so long as temperatures don’t get too cool, baiting fireplace ants within the fall could be very efficient.”

Loftin stated an excellent rule of thumb is to use fireplace ant baits earlier than Oct. 15.

“Nevertheless, when the autumn climate is extra gentle, fireplace ant bait functions will be efficient properly after Oct. 15,” he stated. Hearth ant baits needs to be utilized when soil temperatures are 60 levels Fahrenheit or above.

To see if fireplace ants are nonetheless lively, place small items of scorching canine or greasy potato or corn chips within the areas you intend to deal with.

“Go away this meals out for half-hour after which verify again,” Loftin stated. “If this meals is roofed in fireplace ants you recognize that they’re actively foraging and software of a fireplace ant bait needs to be efficient.”

Deal with mounds or areas?

Must you deal with particular person mounds or broadcast bait over all the space?

“The most effective reply is to broadcast if colony density is 20 or extra per acre,” he stated. If there are fewer than 20 colonies per acre, then treating particular person colonies might be thought of.

“When baiting particular person colonies bear in mind don’t apply on to the mound, as an alternative apply uniformly from 1 to three toes across the base of the mound,” Loftin stated. “Additionally, by no means disturb the mound previous to therapy.

Do fireplace ants come indoors?

Loftin stated that now and again, fireplace ants will forage indoors particularly throughout dry circumstances and other people ask whether or not fireplace ant baits will be utilized inside.

“The reply is sure, however, however in a really particular method,” he stated. “Normally, an excellent bait software outdoors and significantly across the construction’s perimeter will present the management mandatory to stop fireplace ants from foraging indoors.”

Nevertheless, Amdo Professional, Extinguish and Extinguish Plus can be utilized inside buildings however solely beneath very particular circumstances, he stated. These three merchandise are labeled to be used inside buildings however solely in inaccessible areas resembling cracks, crevices, wall voids, unfinished attics and crawlspaces of buildings resembling properties, business residences, business buildings and warehouses.

“Please seek the advice of the label for extra detailed data on indoor use,” Loftin stated.

Use of product names doesn’t indicate endorsement by the College of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. 

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