Gail writes
You should check with your local cooperative extension office to obtain information on ant identification. The staff at these offices are well versed on the type of insects you have in your area and most extension offices even offer insect identification from specimens sent in from local residents. If you just want to know what type of bait to use, you can try the "Peanut butter and Honey" test. Simply put a dab of honey on one end of an index card and a dab of peanut butter on the other end and set the card near an area where there has been ant activity. If the ants seem to prefer the honey go with a carbohydrate based bait which will be a gel or liquid bait. If the ants seem to favor the peanut butter use a protein bait which will be a granule or solid bait. Ants dietary needs do change periodically, so while they may prefer proteins one day the next they may only eat carbohydrate baits. We have put together a complete ant bait kit that includes both types of baits plus 12 ant bait stations to make ant baiting simple.
Answer last updated on: 08/01/2010
