Ants are insects that belong to the family Formicidae and can be found both indoors and outdoors. Indoors, they can be observed especially in areas where unpackaged food or food scraps are present, on which they can feed. They can enter buildings through various accessways (wall cracks, cracks around windows, doors, etc.). Outdoors, ants usually construct their mounds in the ground, and for this reason, they are especially present in areas with vegetation.

Ants can be found in any space where you can also find food and water sources. Therefore, in addition to performing insecticide treatments, an important step in their effective control is the removal of food and water sources, as well as maintaining cleanliness within the treated space

Types of control treatments against ants

Depending on the space/surface treated, for efficient ant control, treatments can be performed using concentrated insecticides applied by spraying or using ready-made insecticides.

Insecticide treatments applied by spraying

A very important aspect is that, before performing treatments, the cleanliness of the treated space must be taken into account. Specifically, the sources that attract ants should be eliminated, as much as possible. Thus, it is recommended to seal unpackaged food, remove food remains, thoroughly vacuum the space, etc. In addition, an important step in fighting ants indoors is the identification and sealing of potential access paths to the home.

A spray treatment will eliminate only the ants found on the surface where the insecticide was applied. Specifically, those that come into direct contact with the spray solution. However, the ant mound will not be eliminated.

Recommended insecticides against ants:

They are biocidal substances used for treatments against harmful insects, most of them acting on contact or ingestion, affecting the insect’s nervous system. Ants are quite easy to kill, so working concentrations can be reduced, following the recommendations mentioned on the label. The active substances in insecticides can vary. The solution is applied by spraying onto the entire surface receiving ant treatment. Treatments with these types of insecticides are performed inside and around buildings.

Recommended sprayers for the application of insecticides:

Sprayers are low-pressure applicator devices that are used for the application of pesticides using precise dosages. Their capacity varies depending on the type of device, the design, the application method (manual / motorized sprayers), and the size of the treated space. Special attention must be paid to the device settings, as well as to its maintenance.

For indoor applications, the application of an aerosol insecticide is recommended immediately after the spray treatment.

Aerosol insecticides recommended for ant control:

Aerosol-type insecticides work by releasing the active substance in a gaseous form, thus covering the entire space to be treated and ensuring the reach of active substance particles into hard-to-reach areas. They come pre-dosed and ready to use.

Ready-to-use insecticide treatments against ants

Due to the specifications (for example, the food attractants in the composition) of the products used, this type of treatment has higher efficiency rates.

An important feature of attractant-based insecticides is the “cascade death” effect, which ultimately leads to the elimination of the entire ant mound. Specifically, it is based on the tendency of ants to look for food sources, which they can later take to the mound. They will be attracted to the attractant in the composition of insecticides, and they will transport the insecticide to their mound, thus eliminating the rest of the colony.

Gel insecticides are applied in the form of gel “beads” or small gel lines, especially near where ants hide, but without disturbing their natural food-seeking behavior.

They are used outdoors, in places where intense ant activity was detected: cracks/cracks in the wall, between terrace tiles, access stairs, as close as possible to their entrance to the building. The application should be made in shaded areas, protected from sunlight, and in spaces protected from rain. It is not recommended that the product be applied in sunny areas since it will quickly lose its biocidal action. It is recommended to first find the ant path, and the insecticide is applied to their path, as close as possible to the nest (mound).

Depending on the chosen product, it is recommended to carefully read and follow the application recommendations found on the label.

Application of treatments against ants

If two types of treatments are performed, the spray must be performed before the one using ready-made insecticides (no solution must be applied over the ready-to-use insecticides). After the solution dries, the ready-to-use insecticides, in the form of attractants or powder form, must be applied.

Powder insecticides are ideal for spaces where gel, granule or spray insecticides can not be used. They are applied on surfaces in the form of strips and at wall intersections. Because they act on contact and ingestion, ants must cross the treated space. Specifically, ants will take the lethal dose as they pass through the powder. It is recommended to carefully read and follow the recommendations found on the product label.

Ready-to-use insecticides against ants:

Ready-to-use insecticides can have any type of formulation: gel, powder, granules, or liquid. Some of them also contain food attractants that will encourage ants to come into contact with the insecticide and with the active substance. For a higher efficiency of treatments, when it comes to food attractant insecticides, it is recommended not to have any alternative food sources. This type of product guarantees treatments with increased results. The applications can be performed indoors, but they work well for outdoor areas as well, following the information found on the product label. For the effect to be as efficient as possible, the insecticide must be applied as close as possible to the ant mound. These insecticides are ideal for areas where insecticides cannot be applied by spraying, such as electrical installations and/or cracks.

In hard-to-reach areas, the insecticide gel can be applied using special applicators.

Recommended applicators:

They are devices specially designed for the application of gel insecticides. The amount of gel to be applied can be adjusted directly from the dispenser, ensuring a more precise application for less accessible areas.

In hard-to-reach areas, powdered products can be applied using special devices.

Recommended devices for the application of powder insecticides:

Dispersers are devices specially designed for the application of granular products or powder insecticides. They are used for treating hard-to-reach spaces, for example inside walls (cracks), behind panels, spaces around electrical outlets, and other very narrow spaces.

For gel insecticides, when used outdoors, it is recommended to use a special poisoning station.

Recommended poisoning stations:

The role of poison stations is to protect the bait from external factors and to prevent the active substance from coming into contact with non-target animals or humans. It is important to mention that they do not replace treatments for ant control and do not trap insects inside the container. They can be made of materials such as plastic, and the size and design can vary.

For outdoor use, if the level of infestation is high and ants are found hiding in vegetation, it is recommended to carry out an initial treatment, using an insecticide applied through spraying with a sprayer or atomizer.

Atomizers recommended for the application of insecticides:

The atomizer is a gasoline-powered spray gun. It has a higher spray rate than ordinary devices, so it is used for outdoor treatments where direct application to vegetation is required. Since on the outside ants usually make their mounds in areas where vegetation is abundant, it is recommended to use an atomizer to facilitate the application of treatments.

The treated area must be checked after about 3-5 days. If the ants continue to appear, it means that the nest is still found within that area, but it has not been eliminated yet. In this case, it is necessary to apply insecticidal baits (according to the specifications on the label) in places where the more intense activity of ants has been observed.

Protective equipment

Protective equipment has the role of protecting the person performing the insect control treatments. To avoid inhalation of vapors created during spraying or direct contact with applied substances, it is recommended to wear complete protective equipment. This includes hooded protective coveralls, gas masks with filters, chemical protection gloves, rubber boots, or waterproof footwear, as appropriate.

Recommended protective equipment:

Protective equipment has the role of protecting the person performing the treatments from dangerous substances. This category includes protective gloves, coveralls, masks, etc. The equipment is chosen depending on the type of treatment, as well as the substances used or the targeted pest.

• Chemical suit with hood

• Protective gloves

• Gas masks, glasses

For effective control of ants, it is very important to select the type of treatment depending on the space in which they are present (interior, exterior), as well as undertaking specific measures (cleaning the treated space, identifying and sealing access points, etc.).

For effective control of ants, it is very important to choose the type of treatment, depending on the space in which they are present (indoor, outdoor), as well as to undertake and respect specific measures (cleaning the treated space, identification and sealing of access routes, etc.).