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Ants enter buildings in search of food and water, warmth and shelter, or a refuge from dry, hot weather. They may appear suddenly in buildings if other food sources become unavailable. For example, rainfall may wash away honeydew from nearby aphid- or scale-infested plants, forcing ant workers to search out a new food source quickly. Ant management requires diligent effort involving the combined use of mechanical, cultural, sanitation, and chemical control methods. Stockton ant control programs should emphasize excluding ants from buildings and eliminating food and water sources. To keep Argentine ants out of buildings, caulk cracks and crevices around foundations that provide entry from outside. Argentine ants are attracted to trees and shrubs located near buildings if they have aphid or soft scale infestations and honeydew is coaling the foliage. Ants protect colonies of aphids or soft scales from natural enemies and may even move the insects to other plants to maintain the honeydew production. Around buildings, never plant bamboo, cherry laurel, or fig trees, since these are especially attractive to Argentine ants because they are susceptible to aphid or soft scale pests. If you cannot remove infested trees or shrubs, develop a program to control the aphids and scale insects that infest them. Apply a sticky such as sugar, syrup, honey, and other sweets in closed containers. Wash the outer surfaces of these containers so any residues do not attract ants. Rinse out empty soft drink containers or remove them from the building. Clean up grease and spills thoroughly. Do not store garbage indoors. Monitor for indoor nesting sites, such as potted plants. If you find ant colonies, remove the containers from the building, then treat the soil with an insecticide, or submerge the pots for 20 minutes in water that contains a few drops of liquid soap. Excluding the ants makes it more effective for natural enemies to control aphids or scales. Spring and summer honeydew feeding contributes too much of the population increase of these ants. Use baits to get insecticides into Argentine ant nests. For greatest effectiveness, apply baits when ant colonies are dispersing in search of food. For instance, set out bait in the early spring, before flowering plants begin to bloom, as ants will begin feeding on nectar as soon as it is available. In the fall, use bails when other food supplies become scarce. Have bait available after rains wash honeydew off plants. Place bait next to nests and along trails, but avoid placing poisonous bait in areas where small children can find it. Baiting is most successful if the bait is not competing with other food sources in or around buildings, so combine the use of bails with sanitation practices. Avoid using insect sprays around baits or baiting will be unsuccessful. Stockton ant control by using insecticides is most successful when you focus the using baits to kill queens and larvae inside their nests. The Author Duncan Flawer is a professional writer, presently writing for Stockton Pest Control
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