Although spray or dust applications are appropriate for controlling some ant species, spraying for indoor infestations of other species may give the illusion of control by eliminating foraging workers, which represent only a small fraction of the colony’s population and are quickly replaced.

In fact, when treating indoor multi-queen species such as the Argentine or Pharaoh ant, which may be sensitive to insecticide residues, it is important to avoid spraying bait stations and nearby areas since this can cause colony movement and budding (one or more queens move to a new site with a group of workers creating a new colony).

Baiting with delayed action toxicants offers a proven technique to control ant infestations by eradicating the entire colony; even the queen(s). In social insect colonies, the toxicant is distributed throughout the colony via trophallaxis, or sharing of the food.

Ants that ingest delayed action toxicant show no immediate symptoms of intoxification, allowing them to continue to function and pass on even more of the toxicant to their colony. But, within 24 to 48 hours, they become lethargic and die as their energy reserves are gradually depleted.

Control can be as fast as overnight, to as long as 60 days or more depending on the size of the infestation.