When ants infiltrate your home, they will nibble on food crumbs and spills on the counter. While ants do not pose serious issues like other pets, they can quickly become a nuisance, once inside. Thankfully, pointepest.com experts can introduce effective methods to eliminate ants from your home. One of these methods is the use of ant baits. If you are wondering how baits work against ant infestations, keep reading:
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What to Expect After Ants Eat Ant Bait?
Ant baits can effectively control ant populations. While traditional insecticides target just the visible scouts, baits are taken back to the colony and kill everyone in it. Ant bait formulations vary. The bait’s attraction component is the most significant part because it must be alluring enough to capture the attention of a huge army of ants. Key elements include taste, appearance, texture, and smell.
When ants find the bait, they enjoy a quick snack and possibly take it back to their colony. This is where the bait can kill all colony members, including the queen.
How Ant Baits Work
Ant bait works differently. Various kinds of baits work for different species of ants. Every bait is made caters to the unique taste of ant species. To ants such as acrobat and Argentine ants, sweet, sugar baits work effectively. Protein-rich baits are enticing to pharaoh and thief ants.
Manufacturers utilize different ingredients to make baits, from protein- and oil-rich baits to sugar-infused baits. Their goal is to make something that ants cannot resist. When lured in, ants start to feast on the bait. Newer ant baits contain a toxin that acts slowly. This allows the scouts to get back to their colony and share the poison.
Ant baits may contain poisons such as borax, insect growth regulators, and organophosphates. Such chemicals disrupt the digestive or nervous system of ants, resulting in their death together with everyone in the colony.
How to Ensure Successful Baiting
Below are tips to successfully use ant baits:
- Determine the type of ants to eliminate. Do your homework and identify the kind of ants to handle. Different species differ in nutrient preferences and are drawn to various baits depending on the specific time of the year. If you are unsure of the type of ant to deal with, use various baits to experiment and observe those that attract the most ants. But it is always best to work with pest control experts to target ant species effectively.
- Check the active ingredient. Pay attention to the bait product’s active ingredient. Ingredients can include boric acid, Avermectin, and hydramethylnon. Avoid products with cyfluthrin or permethrin because these can kill ant foragers, not the whole colony.
- Place the bait strategically. The bait should be placed where ants can easily access them. But ensure they are not accessible to children and pets. Ensure the area is thoroughly clean. Do not use sprays or insecticides along with baits as they can contaminate the area.
Signs the Bait is Working
The bait may be untouched for a long time because the ants in a colony slowly die off. Also, you might notice a reduction in ant activity. Traffic patterns and trails may dry up, which indicates a decrease in the foraging population.
It is important to be patient when using ant baits to eliminate an infestation. It can take weeks or more to eliminate ants. But staying vigilant and taking preventive measures can help you get lasting results.
The best way to protect your home against ants is to incorporate the use of ant baits. Understanding how ant baits allows you to deploy them effectively. If you are not sure how to best deal with ant infestations or which type of bait to use for your unique situation, give a pest control company a call.