Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #61255
Title: PERIMETER TREATMENTS WITH TWO BAIT FORMULATIONS OF PYRIPROXYFEN FOR CONTROLOF NATURAL INFESTATIONS OF PHAROH ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE)

Author
item Vail, Karen
item Williams, David
item OI, DAVID - UNIV. OF ARBURN

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/8/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Pyriproxyfen, a chemical that mimics an insect hormone, formulated in two baits and applied to the exterior of buildings controlled natural infestations of Pharaoh ants. These two bait formulations included an unprocessed peanut oil attractant applied to a pregel defatted corn grit carrier and a composite bait consisting of unknown ingredients. Best results were achieved with the composite bait (0.25% pyriproxyfen). In just 2.5 weeks, worker number in apartment buildings receiving the composite bait was reduced between 84.5 and 94.3% and consistently improved through time until workers were completely eliminated. Use of separate buildings containing multiple apartments was more conducive to conducting field tests for Pharaoh ant control compared to a large structure with separate wings.

Technical Abstract: Pyriproxyfen, a juvenile hormone (JH) analog, formulated in two baits and applied to the exterior of buildings controlled natural infestations of Pharaoh ants, Monomorium pharaonis (L.). Bait formulations included an unprocessed peanut oil attractant applied to a pregel defatted corn grit carrier and a composite bait consisting of unknown ingredients. Calco oil dyes used as markers in the oil bait are detectable in the postpharyngeal gland of the queens and workers for up to 15 wk in the field and 18 wk in the laboratory. Use of separate buildings containing multiple apartments was more conducive to conducting field tests for Pharaoh ant control compared to a large structure with separate wings.