Ants are one of those truly pesky insects that seem to like to spoil our Barbecues and picnics, but they can be an essential part of our garden community. Not only will they help to keep the soil tilled and aerated, they also prey on many eggs and larvae of some of the most annoying garden insects, such as aphids, spiders, small invertebrates or other sap-sucking pests infesting your garden plants. Needless to say, if they start invading the house, or grow large enough colonies that begin to disrupt the root structure of plants, then it is time to take action.
The best products for controlling ants are a bait, as it is the one thing that the worker ants will take back to the colony. Unfortunately colonies of ants will have different food requirements, at different times, to maintain the health of the colony. At any given time the colony can switch food requirements depending on whether a sugar, or protein, bait is require. The worker ants will then source out that type of food exclusively. If they are not feeding on protein type baits, then it would be advisable to try liquid sugar baits, or vice versa. When baiting for ants it is a good idea to bait with both that way, when and if they switch baits, you will be prepared.
We have several different lines of ant baits which are listed below. All of these products contain a food grade bait of either protein/grease (Peanut Butter base) or Glucose (sugars), along with the active ingredient of Boric Acid. When used according to the direction on the individual package they are the most effective form of controlling ants, as they are the only thing that ants will take back into the colony controlling the entire colony, larvae and the Queen. When using in an outdoor location we would recommend placing them under something like a brick or stone that will prevent access from non-target animals, and children, but still allow access for the ants.
- Green Earth Homecare Liquid Ant Bait (sugar)
- Wilson AntOut Ant Traps (protein)
- Wilson AntOut Liquid Antex (sugar)
- Wilson AntOut Ant Bait (protein)
- Wilson AntOut Outdoor Ant Stakes (protein)
- Wilson AntOut Ant Gel Bait (sugar)
All ant baits should be replaced or replenished periodically. This will be dependent on how many ants are feeding. If there is a steady trail of ants feeding on the baits daily then they should be replaced every 5 to 14 days. If only the odd ant is feeding every now and then they should be replaced every 4 – 6 months.
None of these bait products will be very effective at controlling Carpenter Ants. If you are seeing saw dust caused by the ants then it is we suggest using Green Earth Homecare Ant, Roach & Crawling Insect Killer Dust. This is the only product that we have registered for controlling carpenter ants, but if the infestation is very large we would still recommend contacting an exterminator before structural damage can occurred.
Another choice in ant control is Diatomaceous Earth also known as Silicon Dioxide. This active is in Wilson AntOut Ant Killer Dust 200 g, Green Earth Slug & Bug Insect Killer Dust, and Green Earth Bed Bug & Crawling Insect Killer. Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine off-white powder. It consists of the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. Diatomaceous Earth does not control insects by toxicity, but by cutting action. To you and I the product looks and feels like talc powder, but to an insect it is like walking through razor blades. Once the powder scratches, or cuts, the insect it literally dries them up causing death within as little as 48 hours. It may take several weeks for the Diatomaceous Earth dust to be carried back into the colony, completely controlling it.
To control ants on contact and set up a barrier to help keep them out try either Wilson AntOut Indoor Outdoor Insect Killer Spray, either in the 1 litre Ready to Spray or in the “NEW” container with the EZ Spray battery operated nozzle, or Wilson OneShot Ant, Roach & Crawling Insect Killer Aerosol. With the active ingredient of Permethrin it will give a quick knockdown and leave a residual action for 7 to 14 days. Spray it into cracks and crevice, around doors, windows and foundations to prevent entry of a wide variety of creepy crawlers.
