The Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations do not really have an expiration date because the effectiveness of the active ingredient does not diminish over time. However, like any food-based product, the bait may become less appetizing to foraging ants after an extended shelf life. We recommend using fresh bait if you've had the same stations for more than two years.
Once ants consume the Terro PCO Ant Bait it starts working almost immediately to kill them. You should see results within 1-3 days from when the ants feed off the bait.
Once a colony of ants die from the Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations - 30 stations, the larvae would die from lack of care from the workers/adults.
Per the Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations instruction label:
We would not recommend placing Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations outside while you are still experiencing freezing temperatures. You can place them indoors near ant trails or where you are seeing ant activity if you wish.
The Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations should be protected from rain when placed outside.
Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations - 30 stations will not treat for Harvester Ants. We recommend to use Advance 375A out in the yard and to nest. Around your home you can apply Termidor SC 1 foot up and out from the foundation.
We recommend to use a granule bait combined with Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations - 30 stations because ants are very fickle and may crave a sweet bait like in the bait stations or a protein like in the Advance 375A. Please review our Ant Pest Control Guide for more information about ant control.
Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations would be used as follows per the product label:
Terro PCO Ant Bait Stations will attract and kill a wide list of ants as long as they are searching for sugar/carbohydrate food source. Ants acceptance to baits depend on the what the colony needs being a sugar food source or protein food source. Since these dietary needs can change frequently, it is recommended to offer both a sugar and protein ant bait.
We suggest using Advance 375A Ant Granular Bait which is a protein bait at the same time as an ant gel bait to always provide a choice. Even though the smaller ants you have are typically called "sugar ants", they too can be in the mood for a protein and they will not touch the Terro if they are not in need of the sugar.
Please view our Ant Treatment Guide for more information.