In most turf settings, the turfgrass ant is beneficial

because it is a voracious predator of eggs and small

Management/Control

Ant control products can be applied as sprays, granules,

or formulated on baits. Either approach generally

works best in early spring, probably because the colonies

are weakened following overwintering and newly

started colonies are still very small. For all products,

repeated applications at monthly intervals may be

necessary in widespread or difficult situations.

For the control products, active ingredients listed below

are followed by the trade names in parentheses. Be

aware that active ingredients in these products may

change. When purchasing control products, always

check the label for the active ingredient. Always read

instructions on insecticide labels very carefully.

Ant Baits

The key to eliminating ant colonies is to kill the

queen(s). This can be best achieved with delayed

action compounds formulated on baits that are picked

up by foraging ants and brought into the nest. The

compound will spread through the nest because ants

share food by regurgitating it and passing it on to other

colony members.

If only a few mounds are present, spot treatment with

bait formulated products are most effective. Apply

baits to the area directly surrounding the mounds.

Because bait effectiveness relies heavily on bait retrieval

and sharing within the nest, the bait’s particle

size and attractants must match the foraging behavior

and nutritional demands of the target species. Some

species prefer protein based baits, others carbohydrate

based baits. In addition, the nutritional demands can

change during the season.