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Why you need an Ant Control Kit
July 28th 2020, by Dan Crosfield
There are 1,000 species of ants in the United States. They form colonies that range from a few dozen ants living in small cavities to highly organized colonies with millions of members, occupying vast territories. They have various ecological benefits but may become a nuisance and cause mild to extreme issues when they invade buildings, homes, and other structures.
Humans consider several ant species as pests, especially those that occur in human habitations, where their prevalence is often problematic. Their presence is undesirable and unsanitary in homes and commercial buildings. Some ants will raid and contaminate stored food, some will get to water sources, some may even damage indoor structures. Some ants may destroy crops directly or indirectly, while some will sting or bite. The most common invasive ants in the USA are Argentine Ants, Pavement Ants, Crazy Ants, Sugar Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Red Ants, Carpenter Ants, Odorous House Ants, and Fire Ants.
The adaptive nature of ants makes it very challenging to eliminate colonies, this is why we can control or manage ant populations through diligent efforts and the combined use of different control methods, most commonly – chemicals. Chemical means include the use of ant baits or bait stations, insecticides, pesticides, and aerosol sprays.
Note that different types of ants respond to management practices differently. Control largely depends on the species, place, and circumstance.
Benefits of Ant Control Kits vs Single Products
You can easily find various step by step instructions on how you can get rid of ants. Often, you’ll see several different products and try out which one will work best. But this trial and error method is costly and takes time. You can increase your ant control or management success rate by understanding why and how Ant Control Kits work better than single products.
The most common method to effectively manage ant infestation is by baiting.
Baiting is the usual method for managing most species of ants and uses several types of insecticides depending on the situation. Ants are attracted to the bait and recruit other ants to it. Worker ants carry small portions of the bait back to the nest where they transfer the substance to other workers, larvae, and the queen. Baits are available in several forms. Some are readily available in solid or liquid form that are pre-packed into ant stakes or small plastic bait stations.
A common problem with baiting is when ants are not taking the bait laid out. The usual cause for ignoring the baits is that the chosen bait is not meeting the colony’s nutritional needs. Ants will not consume the bait if it does not contain the food sources they need during a specific time or lifecycle. The stages of growth and development of ants play an important role in their food consumption patterns.
Some ants usually look for food sources high in fats and proteins, other ants will rely on carbohydrate-rich foods. The nutritional needs of an ant and the colony can change very quickly, which is why using baits that account for various food sources is a much more effective approach for treatment.
Using various food sources is the most effecting aproach for controlling ants
Ant Control Kits provide maximum control over the ant species you have at the home, office, building, and other structures. These kits contain various kinds of baits to fill the dietary needs of most ants. This increases the likelihood of being able to attract the ants to take the bait, no matter what their dietary need is at that time. In addition to baits, the kits also include bait stations, which vary based on the type of ant you are dealing with. Since they come in a full set, you won’t have to try different products and tools, and spend so much time going back and forth to the hardware store to buy different baits. A kit is both economical and efficient:
- Kits contain protein-based and carbohydrate-based bait products that ensure that most ants nutritional requirements are met.
- Kits include both gel and granular type of bait.
- Kits include bait plates and stations which allow for proper and convenient placement of bait.
- Kits include a ready to use spray that works immediately and continues to work after It has dried.
The Difference Between Indoor and Outdoor Ant Control Kits
Indoor Ant Control requires the use of non-repellant sprays and multiple products of ant baits. Indoor ant kits help control most ants found indoors like Odorous House Ants, Carpenter Ants, Argentine Ants, Little Black Ants, Pavement Ants.
Non-repellants work differently than repellant insecticides by not killing the ants on contact. It does not disrupt the pheromone trails allowing ants to travel freely and makes other ants pick up more of the active ingredient, taking it back to their nesting sites, killing the rest of the colony. You can use non-repellant sprays around doors, windows, and baseboards.
The kit includes multiple indoor baits to fill the different dietary needs of most household ants.
Outdoor Ant Control Kits contain effective products required to manage the most common species of ants found outside the house, such as Fire Ants, Argentine Ants, Pharaoh Ants, Pavement Ants, and Carpenter Ants among others.
Control of outdoor ants includes non-repellant sprays and insecticides applied to a structure’s foundations, outer walls, perimeter fence, pavements, and other areas outside the house. Outdoor ant baits also come in liquid and granular forms depending on what nutritional needs they are trying to meet.
Recommended Outdoor Kit
Our recommended Outdoor Ant Control Kit uses the following products:
- Advion WDG. It is a non-repellant spray applied around the structure, where the ants may enter.
- Maxforce Complete Granular Ant Bait. This bait mimics protein foods.
- Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait. This bait mimics sweet or simple carbohydrate foods.
- Ant No More Bait Station. This product is placed outdoors by sticking it into the ground. Foraging ants enter the bait station, take the bait from one of the two compartments and carry it back to the nest, and kills the rest of the colony.
The kit includes:
- 1 box of Ants No More bait station (12 stations)
- 1 8oz jar of Maxforce Complete Granular Ant Bait
- 1 tube (4.23oz) of Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait with 10 bait stations
- 5 packets (0.33oz each) of Advion WDG Insecticide
You will also need a pressurized sprayer like this to apply the non-repellant insecticide.
Recommended Indoor Kit
Our recommended Indoor Ant Control Kit uses the following products:
- Advion Ant Gel. This bait is for ants that are looking for sweets.
- Maxforce Complete Granular Bait. It is a protein-based bait.
- Bait Plate Stations. These are low profile, economical, and easy-to-use plastic stations that hold gel, liquid, and granular baits for ants. It keeps sticky gels and granular baits in contained space that is off countertops and other surfaces but allows access to the bait.
- Temprid Ready Spray. A ready-to-use spray that contains two active ingredients for both initial lock-down and residual non-repellant activities that pairs perfectly with baiting because of its similar transfer effect. This spray also continues to work long after it has dried to help prevent future infestations.
The kit includes:
- Pack of 12 Bait Plate Stations
- 1 8oz jar of Maxforce Complete Granular Ant Bait
- 15oz can of Temprid Ready-to-Spray aerosol
- 30gm tube of Advion Ant Bait Gel – Single
Recommended Indoor/Outdoor Kit
If you are dealing with active infestations both inside and outside the house, then this next type of kit will be the best choice. It includes products formulated to manage or control the most common species of ants found inside and outside the home.
We recommend this Indoor/Outdoor Combo Ant Control Kit which uses the following products:
- Bait Plate Stations. These are clear, small, plastic stations that hold liquid or granular baits used indoors.
- Ants No More Bait Stations. These stations have a bigger capacity and more durability to protect baits outdoors.
- Maxforce Complete Granular Baits. This is a protein bait that works both indoors and outdoors.
- Advion Ant Bait Gel. This is a sweet bait used mostly indoors.
- Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait. This is a versatile bait, diluted into a liquid that mimics honeydew for use in outdoor bait stations.
- Advion WDG. This is a spray insecticide that gives lasting protection outside the house. It transfers through colonies for extended control of ant populations.
- Temprid Ready-to-Spray Aerosol. Is mostly used for hard to reach places indoors such as cracks, crevices, holes. It helps with taking out nests or colonies and preventing future infestations.
The kit includes:
- 1 box of Ants No More bait station (12 stations)
- Pack of 12 Bait Plate Stations
- 1 8oz jar of Maxforce Complete Granular Ant Bait
- 1 tube (4.23oz) of Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait with 10 bait stations
- 15oz can of Temprid Ready-to-Spray aerosol
- 5 packets (0.33oz each) of Advion WDG Insecticide
- 30gm tube of Advion Ant Bait Gel – Single
You will also need a pressurized sprayer like this to apply the non-repellant insecticide.
[…] approach is to use a combination of methods to bring the ants quickly under control. Try one of our ant control kits to get a variety of pesticides designed to target and destroy the ants as quickly as […]