Thomas from Costa Rica writes
My rose bushes are being eaten by leaf cutter ants. Can I safely use Cynoff on them and if so, how often should I apply?
Cynoff WP will kill leaf cutter ants that are directly contacted with the spray but will have no result on the ants that stay in the nest. Leaf cutter ants can be a difficult pest to get rid of. The colonies are large and the ants make their own food so poison baits only have limited effects on this species of ants. According to several university websites MaxForce Ant Bait Granules containing hydramethlynon are some what effective, though they will usually eliminate only about 30% of a large colony in one treatment and will need to be reapplied several times. DeltaGard granules is one of the only products actually labeled for leaf cutter ants. The product label recommends treating the mound directly and lightly watering the granules in. Again it may take several treatments to get the desired results. We also recommend contacting your local cooperative extension office to see if they have any recommendations for products that have worked for other people in your region.
Answer last updated on: 07/16/2014
