5 Questions with Ryan Neff, Ph.D.

1. What are the biggest challenges you see PMPs having with ant treatments?

The biggest challenges in treatment often center on understanding the colony structure of the ant species you’re treating, beginning with proper identification. Knowing whether you’re dealing with a unicolonial ant species (ones that form super-colonies with many satellite nests) or a multi-colonial ant species (single nests) influences the types of products you apply. It’s also essential to determine if the species is one that nests indoors, outdoors, or both.

2. What areas are most important to check for a thorough inspection?

This depends on where you live. In dry regions, your best bet is to follow the irrigation systems, as there often isn’t enough ambient moisture to support common pest species. In general, look around/under bark mulch, around the bases of trees, and around expansion joints where concrete meets landscaping. Look around water heaters, sinks, bathtubs, and kitchens indoors.

3. What’s new with Sumari® Insecticide?

Sumari Insecticide was recently approved for food-handling applications. If you have ant issues in commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, or food warehouses, you can now treat in those areas with Sumari. Don’t forget: Sumari also contains NyGuard® IGR and works extremely well on roaches, too.

4. What are the benefits of using bait alongside a liquid insecticide?

Baiting alongside a liquid residual can increase the amount of material ants are exposed to and the speed with which they are exposed, especially in species that mass recruit to baits, like Argentine, odorous house, and ghost ants. When done correctly, the bait serves as an attractant that lures foraging ants across the liquid residual, exploiting the recruiting behavior of the ants.

5. What is key when communicating with your customers when treating ants?

This question can have different answers depending on your location, but across the board, I would say tell your customers NOT to treat themselves. Most over-the-counter products provide quick knockdown but won’t deliver lasting control. Explain to customers what you are doing, why you are doing it, and let them know that they need to be patient because you’re dealing with a social insect.