Controlling Ants
Ant control products come in many forms, and each may have advantages or disadvantages, depending on the situation at hand. It is important to reach out to a pest management professional to help with ant control. Many of the most effective products are only available to industry professionals. Many homeowners who attempt do-it-yourself methods end up contacting a pest management professional after the trial-and-error approach has taken them back to square one. Generally speaking, pesticide formulations for ant control can be divided into four main groups: liquid, dry, aerosol and bait.

More than 3.75 million homes in the U.S. have been professionally treated with Termidor® termiticide / insecticide as part of the overall treatment plan. Termidor is applied outside to the exterior foundation walls of your house, since most ants and other pests actually live in nests outside. This product is unique because it even controls ants that never make direct contact with its active ingredient, but make contact with other ants. To learn more about Termidor, please visit TermidorHome.com.

Liquid Formulations
Liquid formulations are generally mixed (diluted) with water before being sprayed on areas where ant activity occurs or may occur. In some cases, diluted liquids may be used to drench an ant mound, such as one inhabited by imported fire ants.

Dry Formulations
Dry formulations are generally ready-to-use and require a spreading device, such as a hand-held or push-type spreader or a duster. Dry formulations include both granules and dusts.

Granules are generally limited to outdoor soil surface applications such as turf or other landscape area. They may require water (rain, irrigation) to activate and there is some concern for non-target organism safety, such as a bird picking up particles.

Dusts are similar to granular formulations but contain finer particle size and can be applied with a duster device and moving airflow. Dusts are effective for Crack & Crevice^® treatment and for penetrating and coating surfaces and voids. They work best in dry environments.

Aerosol Formulations
Aerosol formulations are ready-to-use in pressurized cans that release the active ingredient(s), along with propellants and other components, when nozzles are triggered. For ant control, aerosols are primarily used as Crack & Crevice^® and void treatments.

Crack & Crevice^® and void treatments entail the professional application of insecticide into small spaces where ants or other pests might be hiding. Such openings commonly occur in expansion joints or between equipment and floor. The goal of this treatment method is to deliver the insecticide to a specific location where it is likely to impact the pest but not the surrounding environment.

Bait Formulations
Most bait formulations combine an active ingredient mixed with food to attract ants. As they eat the bait, they ingest the active ingredient. Before they die, ants that have fed on the bait share their food with other ants in the colony. Consequently these ants die, further damaging the colony. Baits, by design, are slow-acting and generally take longer to show their full effects than most other formulations.

Working with a Pest Management Professional
Pest management professionals can choose from a variety of treatment methods to effectively eliminate pest ants. It’s important that the methods chosen are listed on the product labeling, and that each product's label directions and precautions are strictly followed.

Here are some tips for working with a pest management professional:

• Select a pest management professional as carefully as you would any other service professional you invite into your home, such as a plumber or electrician.
• Obtain at least three estimates from different companies before signing a contract for services. Remember the agreement is only as sound as the company that offers it to you.
• Ask about warranty programs.

Find a pest management professional in your area.

Crack & Crevice is a registered Trademark of BASF.