Tips on Using Ant Baits
September 28th, 2009
Ant baits contain small amounts of pesticide mixed with a food substance that serves to attract the ants. Ants take the bait back to the nest, and share it with the rest of the colony. In this way the entire colony can be eliminated. Here are some tips that will help you better utilize your ant baits:
- Don’t use ant spray around the bait. It will repel ants, and they will not be attracted to the food substance in the bait.
- Use baits with boric acid, borax, fipronil, hydramethylnon, or arsenic as the active ingredient.
- Keep several different baits on hand because ants can change their food preferences. If one bait isn’t working, you may want to try another before deciding on an exterminator.
- Don’t use baits outside when it is raining.
- When ants are gone, remove the bait, so you don’t attract more.
- Baits will take 2 to 5 weeks to kill the entire colony. If the ant trail becomes thick after placing the ant bait, that is a good sign. It means that they are carrying a lot of bait back to the nest. After a few days to a week, the trail should get smaller, until it eventually disappears, along with the colony!
