Treatment Methods
Depending on the formulation, there are a variety of treatment methods to choose from for effective pest ant control. For pest control professionals, it is important that methods chosen are listed on the product labeling and that each product's label directions and precautions are strictly followed. Common methods include:
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Broadcast treatments are generally aimed at large turf or other landscape areas and generally contain directions for specific amounts of a product to be applied as a liquid spray, granule or bait to a given area (i.e., gallons or pounds/1000 sq. ft.).
Drench treatments involve mixing a liquid formulation per label directions and then applying the entire volume of liquid directly to a small area such as an ant mound.
Barrier treatments involve applying liquid spray, granular or bait products to a zone around or on a structure or similar area to contact or repel any pest ant entering that zone. These are sometimes called perimeter treatments where soil areas adjacent to a structure as well as a portion of the lower foundation wall next to the soil are treated.
Spot treatments can be applied with all formulations and are directed to a relatively small area where ant activity may be occurring or may have the potential to occur.
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General surface treatments involve treating larger areas than spot treatments but are generally confined to areas of ant activity. Usually liquid spray formulations are used for this method of treatment.
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Crack and crevice treatments are generally applied with liquid spray, dust, aerosol or certain bait formulations to small cracks and crevices in a structure where ants enter, trail or find harborage.
Void treatments involve gaining access to wall, block or other structural voids to treat for ant activity within. Dust and aerosol formulations are generally preferred here, but liquid spray formulations can also be used with caution to avoid leakage from the void. Certain spray products have labels that allow the product to be applied along with a foaming agent to obtain better coverage in the void while preventing leakage.