Before implementing the following steps, please verify the ant species by reviewing our page on Argentine Ants Identification
Keep Them Out!
It is easy for argentine ants and other small insects to gain access to homes and buildings through tiny cracks or gaps in the foundation (most often around doors and windows.) These areas should be thoroughly inspected and potential entry points sealed up by caulk or other exclusion material.
Step 1) Inspection
In order to treat an argentine ant infestation properly, you must first inspect the property thoroughly inside and out for mounds or other potential nesting sites.
Argentine Ant/ outdoor nesting sites: soil, hollowed trees, under firewood, rocks, and other piles of material or debris, and underneath stone or brick walkways.
Argentine Ant/ indoor nesting sites: in walls and voids, and seen around moisture sources like sinks, pipes, or potted plants.
Step 2) Treat Outdoor Ant Mounds
Outdoor mounds can be eliminating by drenching the mound with Cynoff EC insecticide, using a gallon sprayer. Drenching simply means applying enough of the liquid insecticide to drown all ants in the nest and surrounding area. Always read the product label for specific directions on mound treatments. Pets and children should be kept away from the treated area until the solution has dried.
Step 3) Spray Outdoor Perimeter
Spray a good barrier of Cynoff EC , or Termidor around the home using a gallon sprayer. This will help prevent entry. A fan spray that is at least 1 foot high on the side of the building and 1 foot out on the ground will provide excellent protection.
Additional coverage could be applied to potential outdoor argentine ant harborages including the margins of pathways and sidewalks, around the base of trees, stepping stones, potted plants, and garbage cans.
Step 4) Indoor Colonies: Wait, don't spray!-Better to Bait
For argentine ants, the use of residual sprays indoors will only cause stress on the colony, causing it to split into a larger number of sub-colonies, and stimulating greater reproduction among queen ants. This will actually worsen the infestation.
Baiting indoors is preferred and a far mare effective method of control than spraying or dusting. Try a slow-acting bait labeled specifically for argentine ants. To judge whether a bait is effective, simply monitor whether the placement is being visited or decreasing in size. If not, switch to another bait until you find one that is readily accepted.
Recommended baits for Argentine Ants:
- Advance 360A Dual Choice Ant Bait Stations
- Advance 375A Select Granular Ant Bait
- Maxforce Fleet Ant Bait Gel
- Gourmet Ant Bait Gel
Step 5) Dust Treatments: Dust underneath baseboards, and inside cracks, crevices, and voids where argentine ant activity is suspected, with Delta Dust Insecticide. It is important to use Delta Dust because of its waterproof property. This is easy to apply using a professional Hand Duster.
Additional Methods for Ant Prevention & Control
After you have applied the appropriate pesticide chemicals, these additional non chemical methods will help you to maintain control and prevent future ant infestations:
- Practice good sanitation.
- Limit food preparation and consumption to one or two areas of the home that are cleaned daily.
- Eliminate gaps and cracks in the foundation, baseboards, window frames, and door frames with caulk or other appropriate material to eliminate ant entryways.
- Materials such as stacked or piled lumber, stones, bricks, leaf litter, heavy mulch, and other debris that serve as potential ant harborages should be removed as far from the structure as possible.
- Trim the branches of trees, shrubs, and other vegetation that may serve as ant highways so they do not touch the structure.
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets.
Products:
All Ant Control products