Appeal to shifting food preferences of ants

Dr. Cisse Spragins, founder and CEO, Rockwell Labs

The nutritional needs of most ant colonies change throughout the year. In spring, ants focus on colony reproduction and growth. To fuel the developing brood, ants forage for food sources with proteins and fats. In mid-summer and fall, after colonies have produced the eggs needed for the year, their preferences shift to carbohydrates/sugar, which are more efficient food sources.

A boric acid granular perimeter bait with protein, sugar and fat is a great choice for a quarterly program — to appeal to the shifting food preference needs of most ant species throughout the year.

Gel bait is a good add-on to perimeter bait for active infestations. To target the best gel, proper identification will help. For example, unlike most common pest ant species, pharaoh (Monomorium pharaonis) and pavement ants (Tetramorium immigrans) feed on proteins and fats year-round. Accurate identification will help PMPs select the gel bait that will work best to control the infestation.