B&B Pest Control | Rodent Control Boston

Thanks to researchers with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, a new more effective moisture resistant bait could allow pest to be controlled more effectively across America. Pests like the red fire ants and imported fire ants are just two species of invasive ants that have flourished since their addition to the United States. Fire ants have spread throughout the southeastern United States, and even throughout Hawaii. One of the most significant limiting factors in managing these invasive fire ant species is moisture in the environment causing the current insecticide baits to degrade over time. That is why the current development of a water resistant bait by Dr. Robert Vander Meer at the USDA-ARS Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology in the Imported Fire Ant and Household Insects Research Unit is so significant.

The experiment he and his team conducted involved testing the effectiveness of water-resistant baits to existing ant baits on ant colonies in almost identical wet climates. The water-resistant baits and existing baits contained the same active chemical, which stops the ant colony’s queens ability to produce eggs. The two different baits were monitored on ant colonies for a 13 week period, and after that results were recorded. In the standard bait test group half of the fire ant colonies were no longer producing eggs, while in the new water-resistant group no colonies were able to produce eggs anymore! This research shows just how significant water-resistant bait can be to pest control in the future.

The USDA-ARS is doing more research on this water-resistant bait for pest control before it becomes available in the US. The development may prove to be a significant tool for the Pest Control industry to deal with pest more effectively, and with less chemicals! Protect your home or business today with the best in the business at B&B Pest Control! Contact us today!

 

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