Development of New Boric Acid Gel Baits for Use on Invasive Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Authors

  • Lekhnath Kafle Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
  • Anil Chandra Neupane Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6766-0252
  • Yu-Min Wang Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology
  • Samantha Rose Gangai Department of Tropical Agriculture and International Cooperation, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v67i1.4438

Keywords:

Bait, boric acid, Monomorium chinensis, Anoplolepis gracilipes, preference

Abstract

The current control measures used against common household ants in urban and agricultural settings include perimeter insecticide applications. These often have the potential to cause problems of poisoning non-target organisms, due to the insecticidal runoff and environmental contamination. A gel-baiting technique is the most effective tool to control ants with less insecticides released into the environment. In this study two commercial gel baits; the Boric acid (2.5% boric acid) and the Fipronil (0.01% fipronil) baits, were evaluated against laboratory made baits (lab baits). The lab baits, consisted of: 1.5% boric + fructose (F1.5), 1.5% boric acid + fructose + molasses (M1.5), 3% boric acid + fructose (F3), and 3% boric + fructose + molasses (M3) were evaluated based on preference and mortality rates of the common household ant species: the Asian needle ant, Monomorium chinensis, Santschi, and the Yellow crazy ant, Anoplolepis gracilipes, Smith, under laboratory conditions. An inconsistent preference was observed between species and different baits; however, the fipronil bait and the lab bait M3, were preferred more by both ant species compared to the other baits tested. Lab bait M3 also had a faster killing speed than the boric acid bait and the lab bait F3.Based on the results it was concluded that lab bait M3 was a more efficient ant bait and is a potential alternative control measure to the current commercial baits.

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Published

2020-04-18

How to Cite

Kafle, L., Neupane, A. C., Wang, Y.-M., & Gangai, S. R. (2020). Development of New Boric Acid Gel Baits for Use on Invasive Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology, 67(1), 59–64. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v67i1.4438

Issue

Vol. 67 No. 1 (2020)

Section

Research Article - Ants

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