Ant. 2013Ant. Management. Roundtable

Transcription

1 PMP: The industry s leading technical journal since 1933 Ant 2013Ant Management Roundtable INSIDE AR3 AR4 AR5 AR8-AR9 AR14 Word From Our Sponsor Introduction Ant Management Roundtable Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) Advertorial/ Ant Management Success Stories Top Ant Management Opportunities Sponsored by PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET

2 FOR A ROBUST DEFENSE AGAINST HARD TO CONTROL ANTS. CYZMIC CS- A controlled release insecticide that controls the toughest pests even in adverse weather conditions. This repellent insecticide packs a punch with 11,500 capsules per sq. in. of microencapsulated technology. TAURUS SC- For jobs where a non-repellent is preferred, try TAURUS SC which harnesses the power of the active ingredient Fipronil. TAURUS SC is not only an effective termiticide, but a premium product for your hard to control ants! Get the best of both worlds with CSI s repellent and non-repellent products. Visit for information on current promotions for both TAURUS SC and CYZMIC CS. TAURUS and CYZMIC are registered trademarks of Control Solutions, Inc. Always read and follow label directions.

3 ADVERTORIAL WORD From Our SPONSOR Tools for Success If you haven t considered purchasing CSI products recently, it is definitely time to take another look. Lyn Hitt, Director of Business for the PCO Group at CSI discusses his views on ant management and how CSI offers pest management professionals a choice. Hitt has been in the industry since 1985 with 25 of those years spent in distribution the last two years with CSI. During that time many things have changed from new chemistries and control techniques to how the industry is regulated. And of course, there have been huge changes on the environmental Lyn Hitt safety front. But some things will never change. Ants continue to be a challenge for all pest management professionals (PMPs). They are still the No. 1 issue causing callbacks. Proper identification of these pest insects and understanding their habits and threats to health and structures are the backbone to successful ant management. THOROUGH INSPECTIONS AND IDENTIFICATION ARE KEYS TO SUCCESS Based on the type of ant PMPs are combating, the treatment method might need to change. Certain ants are arboreal (tree ants) that prefer to trail up the structure and around the eaves and might set up nests in an attic space (white-footed ants). While other ants are primarily ground-dwellers nesting close to the ground or even in the soil around the structure (big headed ants, fire ants, certain tramp ant species). These two scenarios call for thorough inspection and identification to determine the treatment technique and products a PMP might use. The different chemistries available can influence the treatment methods. There s a place for repellents and non-repellents. Think about it in simple terms, use a non-repellent where you want the ants to trail through the treated area like at entry points, so you re not locking them inside if they re active inside a structure. Use a repellent when you want to keep them out. CHOOSING YOUR TOOLS PMPs need a variety of tools to battle pests, especially ants, and CSI provides one of the widest ranges of tools of any manufacturer today. The offerings comprise a portfolio of products consisting of both repellent and non-repellent chemistry. As the PCO Director, I m always fielding calls on how to treat tough ant problems. For example, in the South, the Rasberry Crazy Ant is posing one of the biggest challenges the industry has seen in some time. Many PMPs in effected areas are having success using one or a combination of different actives from our portfolio. CSI territory managers and our PCO Technical Manager, Marie Knox, are also available to PMPs for technical support. We at CSI are constantly asking for customer input. Getting the Voice of the Customer (VOC) is VERY important to us. We want to make sure that as we develop new, proprietary products for the pest and turf markets that they are relevant and needed. CSI continues to add resources and experienced professionals to our product development and sales teams. We re basically becoming a hybrid between a basic manufacturer and a post patent manufacturer. There s no compromise when you choose CSI products, whether it s the current product lines or the soon-to-be proprietary products we re developing. You re getting top quality, and you happen to be adding value and a little more profit to your bottom line when you choose Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) products. Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR3

4 Will Nepper/ Managing Editor Ant Management Roundtable As 2013 winds down, pest pros continue their love/ hate relationship with the industrious, ID-resistant ant. As sources of revenue, ants remain a favorite, particularly in parts of the country where they aren t seasonal. However, as indicated by Pest Management Professional s (PMP s) 2013 Ant Management Survey (See April 2013 issue), they re notorious call-back bait. How can techs maximize the love side of this relationship? Our roundtable of experts offer tips. AR4 October 2013 Pest Management Professional

5 2013ANTMANAGEMENTROUNDTABLE S P O N S O R E D B Y Pest Management Professional s (PMP s) 2013 Ant Management Guide revealed that, while these pests continue to offer a steady stream of revenue, ant callbacks are a problematic sideeffect for most managing them. In our 2013 ant management survey PMP found that four out of 10 pest management professionals (PMPs) report callbacks on as many as 4% of their ant jobs; 26% say they suffer a 5% to 9% callback rate, and 16% field callbacks from 10% or more of their ant accounts. This is why PMP has rounded up an experienced panel of pros to offer tips and insights for preventing ant callbacks with suggestions for best practices for ant management. PMP s panel of experts includes: Q Paul Bello (PB), a PMP, author and president of PJB Pest Management Consulting in Alpharetta, Ga. Q Chris Cavanagh (CC), vice president, Petri Pest Control, Pompano Beach, Fla. Q Bruce Cook (BC), president, Cooks Termite and Pest Control, Spring Hill, Fla. Q Rusty Markland (RM), operations officer, PestNow Operations, Superior Pest Management, Ashburn, Va. PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL (PMP): WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NEW TECHNICAL TRENDS YOU SEE REGARDING HOW PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS (PMPS) COMBAT ANTS? CHRIS CAVANAGH (CC): Combining active ingredients particularly pyrethroids with other chemical formations such as neonicotinoids to create new products seems to be a growing trend in better combatting ants. PAUL BELLO (PB): Ants continue to be problematic pests, and PMPs are adapting their control methodologies to meet the challenge. Many have adopted an increased use of bait products in their ant management protocols and strategies. Baits placed strategically indoors, for example, might help prevent ants from finding their way to kitchen counters, cabinets and pantries. CC: I agree that continued improvement in the effectiveness of baits and non-repellent spray products, along with increased use of integrated pest management (IPM) methods, will continue to be a major trend in managing ants. RUSTY MARKLAND (RM): I ve been in the industry long enough to see what is old is now new, and what is new often is a technique we used decades ago. So when discussing new Nothing beats a great inspection, identifying the target ant and locating nesting sites. Rusty Markland Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR5

6 2013ANTMANAGEMENTROUNDTABLE trends in the industry, it seems a bit clichéd to old birds like me. Nothing beats a great inspection, identifying the target ant and locating nesting sites and nothing is more valuable than prescribing a precise elimination. It comes down to old-fashioned inspection and knowledge, regarding what it will take to eliminate the specific problems at a specific location. What good is the greatest product produced by man, if the environment where the infestation is based is so conducive to infestation that it does not matter what you use? I challenge customers and technicians when they say, your product doesn t work. I ask them to take any ant any insect, for that matter and place it in a Petri dish with just a few drops of any product labeled for ants to see what happens. Chemistry is perfect; the reason treatments fail is not the product, but instead the prescription and application. Manufacturers have done a wonderful job developing products that are insect-specific with low toxicity, yet high results. But all of that work will not take the place of the simple, age-old proper inspection, diagnosis and prescription. BRUCE COOK (BC): I recognize some new trends in baiting that are promising. Although not new, the range of bait products that target specific species are proving to be very useful. Caribbean crazy ants (Nylanderia pubens) are our No. 1, most problematic pests here, and treating schools for those infestations can be tricky. Baits have helped alleviate some of that pressure. Meanwhile, barrier treatments are changing with the new labeling in perimeter use of some popular products making selection and treating more difficult. RM: The use of non-repellents on the exterior for new starts is a great idea, but it s not exactly new. However, there are more non-repellent formulations now to choose from that offer great reductions in populations than we had five years ago. BC: Species identification continues to be a key factor in ant management. And technical identification training is, and will continue to be, an important issue. PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET Treating deck bench AR6 October 2013 Pest Management Professional

7 S P O N S O R E D B Y CC: Another new development rodent-activity monitoring devices offer promise. They transmit a wireless signal or alarm when rodents are active in homes. This type of technology has yet to catch up with ant management, but being able to receive an alert that ants are active at a home or business would be a great offshoot technical development. PMP: CAN YOU NAME ANY NEW BUSINESS TRENDS YOU SEE, REGARDING HOW PMPS SELL AND SERVICE ANT ACCOUNTS? CC: Social networking, along with the Internet in general, will continue to be used more often to promote and sell pest services. You see fewer companies sending their salespeople to the doors of prospective homes and businesses. More companies are selling directly over the phone or through their websites. Like most trends, there are pros and cons to this but I expect it will continue to be a growing trend. RM: I see trends developing in the way in which companies deal with customer expectations. For example, I see salespeople being sold on specific products and passing that confidence on to their customers who are coping with ant problems. With the claims offered by new formulations or combinations of old formulations the sales force takes those written advertised claims and sells it to the consumers. In many cases, this puts the service department in the position of being obligated to live up to the sales boast, which might cause problems. Ant jobs are tougher today than ever before. We can argue the benefits of liquids vs. baits, repellents vs. non-repellents, inside-to-outside treatments vs. outsideto-inside treatments, but ants continually challenge all strategies. When customers tell you they are having ant problems, the first words out of your mouth should be ants are tough not we can fix that. For instance, today s baits are more effective than they were 10 years ago. But you still have to tell the customer that baits are great tools, but the important word is tool, because they re not magic wands. They re somewhat passive in their approach, often without immediate knockdown. You need to tell customers that they re often still going to see ants for a period of time. Make sure they know the product does work, though, and it will significantly reduce pest pressure. CC: Perimeter and outdoor treatments will continue to be the norm because of the many advantages to both PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET Treating under bay window Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR7

8 ADVERTORIAL ANT MANAGEMENT SUCCESS STORIES NEED TO ATTACK ANTS? TAURUS SC is the Weapon CSI s TAURUS SC proves successful for PMPs waging war on ants. Collier Pest Control s Phil Hadley knows a thing or two about a good deal, otherwise he wouldn t have a thriving business after 22 years in the southwest Florida market. Based in Naples, Fla., Collier Pest Control has been locally owned and operated since its inception in The company has a popular maintenance program, Collier Express, which it offers its residential and business customers. The popular program is very effective and Collier s customers have always been pleased with its success. Collier s maintenance program includes an outside only portion to particularly fight ants, a huge problem in the Florida climate. Hadley says whitefooted ants, big headed ants and ghost ants are the most prevalent in the southern Florida. To maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and business efficiency, Hadley depends on high-performance products to keep tough pests at bay and reduce callbacks to retreat. The low cost was the first reason to try TAURUS SC, but its strong performance is why we still use it. It s another really great tool in our arsenal at a competitive price. N. Frushour, Preventative Pest Hadley started using some Control Solutions Inc. (CSI) products because of his proven success with CSI s sales rep for Florida. I started buying quite a few different products from CSI and I was pleased with the results, Hadley says. My trusted salesman introduced me to TAURUS SC as an alternative for our maintenance program. Hadley was one of the first adopters of TAURUS SC as soon as it was available in Florida and hasn t looked back. TAURUS SC is labeled for barrier applications targeting occasional invaders around structures. TAURUS SC worked as both a maintenance and corrective solution. It does exactly what it is supposed to do, he says. When dealing with ants, it s the sheer numbers that can overrun you, but TAURUS SC works great and kills them all. Preventive Pest s technician Seth Webb guarantees its work for its customers with the help of TAURUS SC. AR8 October 2013 Pest Management Professional

9 ADVERTORIAL Preventative Pest starting using Taurus SC last fall, focusing primarily on perimeter control for ants. AS GOOD AS THE COMPETITION Preventive Pest Control LLC originated in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has been in business for 15 years. The company started its roots with a door-to-door selling approach and it continues to be one of the fastest growing pest management companies in the nation. Since 1997, Preventive has expanded into six states and has nine locally owned branches that service more than 50,000 customers. What started out as a residential pest control business, is now expanding into more commercial jobs. It does exactly what it is supposed to do. When dealing with ants, it s the sheer numbers that can overrun you, but TAURUS SC works great and kills them all. P. Hadley, Collier Pest Control Nathan Frushour with Preventative Pest says the company has always emphasized upholding its guarantee and TAURUS SC fits the bill as an effective and cost-saving ant management solution. Preventative Pest starting using TAURUS SC last fall, focusing primarily on ants. The low cost was the first reason to try TAURUS SC, but its strong performance is why we still use it, Frushour says. It s another really great tool in our arsenal at a competitive price. Recently Preventative Pest had to deal with a high infestation of odorous house ants in a home. TAURUS SC was used in several flexible solutions for the home. It had great knockdown power on trailing ants as an outside perimeter measure and also was used as a foam application in wall voids to combat nesting in the house. TAURUS SC was transferred to other ants and quickly got back to the nests. We had high take-down numbers and quickly solved the problem in that house, Frushour says. By day three, the numbers of ants were dropping off dramatically. By the end of the week, they were all gone. Frushour says TAURUS SC works just as well as its competition, and has been very pleased with the easy handling of TAURUS SC. It handles well with no odor, and the bottle is very user friendly simple things that make the difference, he says. Collier Pest Control has 22 trucks working in customer s homes and businesses and every truck carries TAURUS SC. Collier hasn t needed to use TAURUS SC on termites yet, but will as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Hadley is confident it will work just as well on termites as it does on ants and is eager to get a jump on termite season. Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR9

10 2013ANTMANAGEMENTROUNDTABLE the customer (and the bottom line). It s typically much more profitable than regular interior treatments, which take longer and are more difficult to schedule. ANT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES 1. KNOW YOUR ANTS. Be sure you re familiar with each of the ant species normally encountered in your company s areas of operation. This doesn t mean you need to commit all biology and behavior of every ant species to memory. But you should at least be familiar enough with them so you re able to look them up and read any additional information you need. After all, pest management is not a memory test who among us would seek the services of a heart surgeon with no books on his shelves? 2. IDENTIFY CORRECTLY. It s a tip worth repeating. Not all ants have the same biology and behavior, nor would we expect to control all ant species using the same techniques. This is why correct ant identification is critical to the success of any ant management program. 3. LEARN HOW TO PROBLEM-SOLVE. Not all of our pest problems can be solved using a cookie-cutter approach, and this is especially true about ants. Just because a reference book states a certain species of ants usually nests outdoors, it doesn t necessarily follow that this species couldn t be found nesting within your account s structure. Remember, ants don t read books. BC: Yes, with the new products and technologies available, longer service intervals will be possible. A lot of customers don t want to see you every month. At least once a month would be nice. I think there s also a bigger push to market green treatments but that seems most effective when the economy is good. When it s bad, even some environmentally conscious customers have a cheaper-isbetter mentality. There seems to be more ant-focused advertising today, as opposed to cockroaches, which used to occupy my company s No. 1 spot. It s also worth noting the exemption of some products used to fight ants creates a better, more competitive marketing environment. PB: I ve always considered ants to be the top pest, but with bed bugs garnering so much attention, should we wonder whether that still holds true? I think so. Analysis of the business potential attributable to ants might support the notion that ants hold the primary position as the industry s greatest potential revenue producer for several reasons: There are a variety of species of ants that can be problematic within structures. Also, pest ant species might be found in nearly every region of the country. Finally, ant problems are not contingent upon the sanitary conditions present within the structures or accounts. Ants can, and do invade even clean and well-maintained structures. PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET Worker Carpenter Ant taking bait To capitalize on the market potential presented by ants, the pest management industry has included ants in its marketing campaigns. Yes, we still see fire ant ads (in affected markets) on TV, in print media and on the radio each spring. However, we now also see TV ads that specifically target other ant species. AR10 October 2013 Pest Management Professional

11 S P O N S O R E D B Y Be clear with customers Set realistic expectations for them. Rusty Markland In addition to targeted ad campaigns, businesssavvy pest management professionals are including ant training in their technician curriculum, so their techs can speak, and act, knowledgably to potential customers. PMP: DO YOU HAVE ANY ANT MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES YOU D SUGGEST TO OTHER PMPS? BC: Communicating with the customer creates an essential path toward sound ant management. Ask them detailed questions about their particular problems where they ve seen the ants, what conditions might have changed around their properties that coincide with the ants appearance, and what, if any, problems they ve had in the past. Also ask them what they see regarding the behavior and location of the ants. CC: Look for trails of ants on the outside perimeter, and treat in several areas for control, but also to help track where ants are coming from and where they might be nesting. Always try to locate the nest, but if you can t, use a combination of baits and non-repellent sprays. PMP: WHAT ARE SOME ANT MANAGEMENT MISTAKES YOU D ADVISE AGAINST? CC: Don t spray indiscriminately, and avoid the use of highly repellent products that might cause Don t be afraid to offer household tips. Explain how trimming foliage that connects to structures can be helpful. Delicately suggest that good housekeeping keeping crumbs off the floors and countertops, and using sealable containers for food storage goes a long way toward effective ant management. In addition to mining your customer for intel, make sure you ve conducted a proper inspection. Walk around the entire property and take note of what you observe those things the customer might not think about to help you identify the type of ant with which you re dealing. Then, with a proper ID, you can treat based on that customer s specific problem. RM: Also, look at the cultural and environmental obstacles at each specific treatment site before diagnosing and prescribing a treatment plan. Be clear with customers. Set realistic expectations for them. Let them know what to expect. PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR11

12 2013ANTMANAGEMENTROUNDTABLE ant trails to splinter and spread to different areas. Based on my experiences, non-repellents are more effective in my area of operation. BC: Never eat, drink or smoke when baiting. You should never do these things on the job anyway for numerous reasons that threaten your professionalism a no-brainer but these things can render baits absolutely useless. If you handle a bait after, or worse, while smoking, you often no longer have functioning bait. This extends to storage and trucks where baits are kept. Don t let techs smoke anywhere near where bait is stored or, again, you ve usually eliminated any possibility the bait will fulfill its primary function. Complacency can sometimes be a problem, also. When you become complacent, you become less effective. If you find yourself doing the same thing over and over again at a single account, obviously, your tactic is not working. There should be no such thing as routine ant managment. Different jobs require different strategies. Finally, never treat outside when rain is imminent. It might sound obvious, but I ve seen it happen. RM: Don t promise something your service department can t deliver. Remember, ants are tough to manage and sometimes it takes several treatments to get relief. Your customer should be made aware. If the structure s environment is conducive to ant activity whether it is excessive moisture, nearby vegetation, poor sanitation, food that s been left out, etc. and the customers don t do their part, nothing you do will work. Ant management is a partnership between the PMP and consumer. Both have a vested interest in the outcome of the treatments, and both have a role to play. Your customers and sales force must understand that. PB: Don t assume that different species of ants behave in similar ways and thus always can be managed using similar methods. Differences in species often mean radically different behavior, which means uniform treatment across species more often than not, won t work. If you make quick decisions and assumptions when tackling a persistent ant problem, you re headed for disaster. Call upon all available resources to help you resolve any ant problem. This includes training manuals, reference books, industry magazine articles, experienced co-workers, distributor reps, manufacturer reps and extension reps. PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET Stinging Pavement Ants at war AR12 October 2013 Pest Management Professional

13 S P O N S O R E D B Y PMP: WHAT ARE SOME ANT EXCLUSION TECHNIQUES THAT YOU VE USED AND FIND TO BE EFFECTIVE? BC: Ant exclusion is especially tough. You have a lot to consider, such as the landscaping surrounding the structure. Everything should be trimmed appropriately away from the structure. Ensure everything that can be sealed up, is sealed up. This could mean suggesting caulking around doors and windows if gaps exist. CC: Plumbing entry points and areas around bathtubs are also good candidates for sealing and caulking. If customers resist the idea of using caulking or sealing materials, be sure you communicate clearly why this part of your plan is important. Explain that you re attempting to be proactive and if you can offer the service to them, you can show them you re going above and beyond what many customers expect a pest management company to do. You can also tell your customers that removing attractants is something they can do to help the situation. This might mean rinsing out soda cans before disposing of them, keeping all food in tightly sealed containers and, when possible, not leaving pet food out. BC: Moisture near the structure should also be a consideration. What is the condition of the rain gutters? Are they clogged? If so, that s an ideal place for ants to eat and sleep. If they need to be cleaned, suggest it be done. Don t be afraid to explain this to the customer. Explain that making these types of suggestions is all a part of the service you offer, and be sure to say it in a way that won t cause them to take it personally. RM: If you reduce vegetation up and around exterior walls and keep trees and shrubbery, even at second- and third-floor levels, trimmed back from the structure a great repellent quarterly maintenance service is the best weapon. But to be clear, you usually cannot totally exclude ants. PB: I agree tree and shrub pruning is important, because it eliminates bridges ants use to access a structure. Related to that is the selective choice of foliage. Suggest the customer reduce the plant, tree and shrub types that become inhabited by honeydew producers. These plants draw and support increased numbers of ants. Some folks use either petroleum jelly or glue to prevent ant access, but these types of substances are soon PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET Carpenter ants nest in window frame Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR13

14 2013ANTMANAGEMENTROUNDTABLE TOP ANT MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES Our roundtable panel explores the upside of ant management with a list of opportunities these pests present. Q Ants are the Holy Grail of recurring revenue in the pest management industry. The quarterly customer base is the basic element of growth, and ants, because they re so difficult to fight and are always around, represent the perfect match for the quarterly pest service. Rusty Markland Q Ant opportunities and obstacles can often be the same thing. Introduced species such as the Caribbean crazy ant, carpenter ant and fire ant bring new revenue streams with them. Paul Bello Q Companies that specialize in ants and provide extra training on ant management can then market themselves as ant specialists, and fill that need for consumers. Chris Cavanagh Q The development of stronger technology will do wonders for the ant management industry. Bruce Cook Q For sales managers, ants offer the perfect sales opportunities because they re always there and always active inside during all seasons. Rusty Markland Q Consumers will be willing to pay more money for service and sign up for recurring service when they have ant problems because most consumers understand ants require follow-up visits to manage. Chris Cavanagh rendered useless because of debris falling into them, the weather and other factors. I ve seen hummingbird feeders that are protected from ants using moat-like barriers of soapy water, which prevents ants from getting to the sugar water solution. CC: Avoiding excessive mulch mounds helps with exclusion as well, particularly around the structure s immediate perimeter. Excess mulch provides a perfect harborage for ants, and prevents pesticide applications from penetrating the soil surface where ants might be nesting or trailing. PMP: WHAT ARE SOME ANT MANAGEMENT OBSTACLES CHALLENGING PMPS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS? RM: The biggest obstacles involve false expectations presented by the company to the customer, a lack of education and awareness on the part of the consumer, and a lack of education and awareness, because of weak training, in some company s sales and service departments. BC: The biggest obstacle I ve noticed for the industry is a general lack of technical training where new ants are concerned. New ant species being imported to different areas of the country necessitate proper training to confront them. New restrictions on perimeter treatments aren t much help either As an industry, we re still getting used to label changes. You obviously can t violate labels, so you have to get creative. I think the key to overcoming this obstacle is the continual improvement of products, which continue to evolve. But that sort of thing takes time, technology and resourceful scientists. CC: Sometimes uncooperative customers can be a problem if they don t follow your advice. I also agree the lack of proper training AR14 October 2013 Pest Management Professional

15 SPONSORED BY leads technicians to simply spray for ants sometimes causing ant colonies and trails to splinter and spread to new areas, which can exacerbate the problem. PB: Some major ant management challenges also include the great reproductive capacity of certain, more problematic species. They reproduce at great speed in great quantities. Also, the Caribbean crazy ant and other recently introduced invasive ant species it will take time to figure out the best ways to confront and conquer them. CC: New tramp ant species, with multiple queens and super-size colonies, have been introduced in the Southern states over the last several years. These ant problems take time to solve, and technicians don t always have the necessary time to spend because they have a route they must complete every day. PMP: TWELVE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, IN 2025, WHAT DIFFERENCES DO YOU PREDICT WILL SHAPE PROFESSIONAL ANT MANAGEMENT? PHOTO COURTESY OF, AND COPYRIGHTED BY, GENE WHITE, PMIMAGES@EARTHLINK.NET CC: There will continue to be improvements in technology and the products we use, but I don t believe there will be a silver bullet to take down ants. The surest way to eliminate ants will continue to be locating and eliminating the nests. Improvements in baits and sprays might help. But new ant species being introduced into the country over the next dozen years will bring new challenges in ant management for PMPs and consumers. PB: In the future, we ll likely see more effective bait products developed for ants. These baits will be species-specific. Species that are more problematic than others will have bait product developed and commercialized especially for them. Currently, there are baits specifically targeting fire ants and carpenter ants, for example. In the future, we might see baits that are designed with the intention of controlling Argentine ants, ghost ants or even Caribbean crazy ants. RM: In 12 years, we ll be reading articles about new techniques that are, in reality, variations on what we are doing today but with a different technique tweak and/or product formulation. The more things change, the more they stay the same. PMP Pharoah ant colony Pest Management Professional October 2013 AR15

16 Homeowners Consider ANTS Their Greatest Pest Concern. ANTS Consider TAURUS SC Their Greatest Threat! Powered by Fipronil, TAURUS SC kills many pests including these ants... Acrobat Ants Carpenter Ants Pavement Ants Argentine Ants Crazy Ants Pharaoh Ants Big-Headed Ants Odorous House Ants Thief Ants Ask your local distributor about TAURUS SC and other CSI products or visit us online for more information and where to buy. TAURUS is a registered trademark of Control Solutions, Inc. Always read and follow label directions. A Makhteshim-Agan Company