Selecting the proper bait to target the specific feeding preference of the ant species you want to control is key when managing an...
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Baits can be very effective at controlling ant infestations. However, to use baits successfully requires a reasonable understanding of species identification, ant feeding preferences, and how these preferences are influenced.
Understanding ant diets allows a pest management professional to make better decisions regarding appropriate bait selection.
Ant diets, amazingly so, are similar to humans. They all have a varying level of need or desire for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Carbohydrates, sourced by ants from honeydew in nature, serve as energy for activities such as foraging and defense of the colony.
In an effort to store energy, and for a variety of additional physiological machinery, ants target the lipids derived from other insects or seeds. Also, these other insects can serve as a form of protein that is necessary for reproduction and the development of eggs and larvae.
When considering ant diets, there are two key things your pest control technician should recognise:
Studies have shown that, although ants need carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, their level of preference varies across species.
By determining what may be attracting the ants to the area as well as which bait product to use to target the particular pest infestation will lower the likelihood of the problem returning following treatment.
As the seasons change, ant behaviour and colony needs also change. Research indicates ants can also exhibit a varying level of desire for a particular food source as a result of changing seasons.
Spring is a period when most ant colonies are focused on reproduction and developing the colony. Thus, spring is a period when ants forage for both lipids and protein, which provide for energy storage and reproduction, respectively. Later, as summer and fall approach, the ant colony focuses its need on sustaining the larger population and its growing need for energy through carbohydrates.
These varying needs mean that within certain ant species, seasonal changes in feeding behaviour can impact the effectiveness of different baits.
Article provided by SDA Pest Control