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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 #66466
Title: RED IMPORTED FIRE ANTS (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE): EFFECT AND COSTS OF BROADCAST AND SINGLE-MOUND TREATMENTS IN URBAN PARKS AND EFFECT ON NON- TARGET ANTS

Author
item Wojcik, Daniel
item Patterson, Richard

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

Interpretive Summary: Logic and Amdro baits were applied as broadcast (tractor-mounted applicator) and single-mound (manual) treatments for control of imported fire ants in Caloosa park in Palm Beach Co., FL. Treatment efficacy was monitored by examination of fire ant mounds for worker brood. At 10 weeks posttreatment, Logic broadcast and single-mound treatments gave 71.5% and 87.7% and Amdro broadcast and single-mound treatments gave 89.7% and 79.4% reductions based on population index. Fire ant populations were suppressed through the summer but by 46 weeks posttreatment, had gradually returned to or above pretreatment levels. Costs of the utilized control strategies was determined by labor costs, with the broadcast treatments being the most cost effective. Non-target ants were not adversely affected by the termination of the test at 46 weeks posttreatment.

Technical Abstract: Logic and Amdro baits were applied at label recommended rates as broadcast and single-mound treatments for control of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, in Caloosa Park in Palm Beach Co., FL. At 10 weeks posttreatment, Logic broadcast and single-mound treatments gave 71.5% and 87.7% reductions respectively, and Amdro broadcast and single-mound treatments gave 89.7% and 79.4% reductions respectively based on population index. By 46 weeks posttreatment, fire ant populations had returned to at least pretreatment levels and non-target ants were not adversely affected. Broadcast treatment was more cost-effective for both chemicals.