Yellow crazy ant treatment options

open areas : forested / densely wooded areas : residential areas : agricultural / livestock areas : near open water / rivers /streams : conservation areas

Yellow crazy ant - open area

Treatment products

Granular bait

AntOff (fipronil 0.01 g/kg in a fish meal matrix)
Application rate 10 kg/ha

Campaign (hydramethylnon 7.3 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Application rate 5 kg/ha

Either may be used alone or in combination with

Distance plus (pyriproxyfen 5 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Application rate 4 kg/ha

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Apply bait when ants are most actively foraging – typically during the cooler parts of the day, 6:00-10:00 am and 3:00- 6:00 pm
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective
Wait at least three months after previous treatment before treating again. This is to avoid bait shyness

Application method

Broadcast with manual spreaders or by helicopter over large areas

Environmental /social considerations

Toxic to marine/aquatic life – enforce 5 m no bait zone from high tide mark and any open water sources
Do not apply bait when rain is likely within the next 6 hours
May be eaten by domestic or stock animals – pen animals away from treatment area or refrain from broadcasting bait where stock /domestic animals roam (see agricultural / livestock areas for alternatives)
Ensure all stakeholders are aware baiting is taking place and that children are kept away from or know not to touch bait

Equipment required

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait which is sufficient to treat 0.1 ha
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Measuring jug or scoop – 1.5 L of bait equates to 1 kg
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying bait containers

and/or

Helicopter with hopper spreader

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling bait

Information Sources

Burne, Barbieri, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Atafu, Tokelau. Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Burne, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Kiritimati, Kiribati. Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Craddock. 2015. Yellow crazy ant treatment on Atafu Atoll, Tokelau. FBA consulting Client report for Pacific Biosecurity

Lach, Barker. 2013. Assessing the effectiveness of tramp ant projects to reduce impacts on biodiversity. A report prepared for the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population, and Communities

Yellow crazy ant - forested / densely wooded area

Treatment products

Granular bait

AntOff (fipronil 0.01 g/kg in a fish meal matrix)
Application rate 10 kg/ha

Campaign (hydramethylnon 7.3 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Application rate 5 kg/ha

Either may be used alone or in combination with

Distance plus (pyriproxyfen 5 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Application rate 4 kg/ha

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Apply bait when ants are most actively foraging – typically during the cooler parts of the day, 6:00-10:00 am and 3:00- 6:00 pm
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective
Wait at least three months after previous treatment before treating again. This is to avoid bait shyness

Application method

Broadcast with manual spreaders or motorised blowers for dense bush or by helicopter over large areas

Environmental /social considerations

Toxic to marine/aquatic life – enforce 5 m no bait zone from high tide mark and any open water sources
Do not apply bait when rain is likely within the next 6 hours
May be eaten by domestic or stock animals – pen animals away from treatment area or refrain from broadcasting bait where stock /domestic animals roam (see agricultural / livestock areas)
Ensure all stakeholders are aware baiting is taking place and that children are kept away from or know not to touch bait
Note motorised blowers are hot and heavy to use. Ensure operators have sufficient water available to avoid dehydration

Equipment/materials required

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait which is sufficient to treat 0.1 ha
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Measuring jug or scoop – 1.5 L of bait equates to 1 kg
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying bait containers
Nitrile or thick garden gloves

and/or

Motorised blower
Petrol
2 stroke oil spreader
Nitrile or thick gardening gloves

and/or (aerial application)

Helicopter with hopper spreader

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves
Ear protectors

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling bait

Information Sources

Boland, Smith, Maple, Tiernan, Barr, Reeves, Napier. 2011. Heli-baiting using low concentration fipronil to control invasive yellow crazy ant supercolonies on Christmas Island, Indian Ocean. In: Island invasives: eradication and management (eds Veitch, Clout, Towns), pp 152-156. Gland, IUCN

Burne, Barbieri, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Atafu, Tokelau (download 9 MB). Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Burne, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Kiritimati, Kiribati (download 4.4 MB). Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Hoffmann. 2009. Dhimurru yellow crazy ant management plan. A report prepared for Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation

Yellow crazy ant - residential area

Treatment products

Granular bait

AntOff (fipronil 0.01 g/kg in a fish meal matrix)
Application rate 10 kg/ha

May be used alone or in combination with

Campaign (hydramethylnon 7.3 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Application rate 5 kg/ha and/ or
Distance plus (pyriproxyfen 5 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Application rate 4 kg/ha

Paste bait

Vanquish Pro (Fipronil 0. 1 g/kg)
Application rate 3.25 kg/ha

Targeted Insecticide

ATTRATHOR (Fipronil 0.26 g/L (concentrate) diluted at a rate of 10 ml of concentrate to in 1 litre of water)

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Apply granular and paste bait when ants are most actively foraging – typically 6:00-10:00am and 3:00- 6:00pm
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective
Wait at least three months after previous treatment before treating again. This is to avoid bait shyness

Application method

Granular bait

Broadcast with manual spreaders up to 5 m away from houses (unless otherwise authorised by home owners) and no closer than 5 m to any open water or water source

Paste Bait

This bait is sold in either a 100 g syringe or in larger, 325 g cartridges, which require a caulking gun to apply them
The bait is applied in ~ 1cm³ “blobs” every 3 m at a height >1.5 m within 5 m of houses or where young children or domestic animals were likely to come into contact with granular baits

Targeted Insecticide

ATTRATHOR is sold as a concentrate, which is diluted at a rate of 10 ml concentrate in 1 L of water in a garden spray bottle
The solution is sprayed in an approximately 15 cm line at 3 m intervals on foraging trails
The product is used where young children or domestic animals are likely to come into contact with granular baits or where paste bait is likely to dry out, fall on the ground and become accessible to domestic animals (such as chickens)

Environmental /social considerations

Toxic to marine/aquatic life – enforce 5 m no bait zone from high tide mark and any open water sources
Do not apply granular bait when rain is likely within the next 6 hours
Do not apply paste bait in direct sun – it dries out and becomes unattractive to ants
Do not use targeted insecticide when there is sufficient wind to pose a risk that spray will be carried into the operator's face
To minimise the risk of spills in the treatment area, targeted insecticide should be stored and mixed away from the treatment area, and the diluted product carried into the field
Granular bait and dried out paste bait may be eaten by domestic or stock animals – pen animals away from treatment area or refrain from broadcasting bait where stock /domestic animals roam. ATTRATHOR is a better treatment option in these areas
Ensure all stakeholders are aware baiting is taking place and that children are kept away from or know not to touch bait

Equipment/materials required

Granular bait

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait which is sufficient to treat 0.1 ha
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Measuring jug or scoop – 1.5 L of bait equates to 1 kg
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying bait containers
Nitrile or thick garden gloves

Paste bait

Caulking gun
Knife
Nitrile or thick gardening gloves

Targeted Insecticide

Garden spray bottle
Water supply
Nitrile gloves
Paper mask

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves
Paper mask

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling bait
Wear a mask when spraying ATTRATHOR outdoors

Information Sources

Burne, Barbieri, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Atafu, Tokelau (download 9 MB). Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Burne, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Kiritimati, Kiribati (download 4.4 MB). Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Craddock. 2015. Yellow crazy ant treatment on Atafu Atoll, Tokelau (download 2.8 MB). FBA consulting Client report for Pacific Biosecurity

Yellow crazy ant - agricultural / livestock area

Treatment products

Granular bait

Engage P (S-methoprene 5 g/kg) has been applied aerially to sugar cane fields in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Queensland, Australia without imposing a withholding period for harvest
The 2004 Environmental Monitoring Branch of the US Department of Pesticide Regulations Document “Environmental Fate of methoprene”, indicates S-methoprene has very low toxicity to mammals. For example, the LD50 for dogs ranged from 5,000 to 10,000 mg/kg
It should be noted that, as S-methoprene is an insect growth regulator it does not kill adult ants, so several treatments may be required before a noticeable decline in numbers is observed

Paste bait

Vanquish Pro (Fipronil 0.1 g/kg) Application rate 3.25 kg/ha) applied in ~ 1 cm³ blobs every 3 m at a height >1.5 m where livestock were likely to come into contact with granular baits

Targeted Insecticide

ATTRATHOR (fipronil 0.26 g/L (concentrate) diluted at a rate of 10 ml of concentrate to in 1 L of water)

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Apply paste bait when ants are most actively foraging – typically 6:00-10:00am and 3:00- 6:00pm
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective
Wait at least three months after previous treatment before treating again. This is to avoid bait shyness

Application method

Granular bait

Broadcast with manual spreaders or by helicopter over large areas

Paste Bait

Vanquish Pro is sold in either a 100 g syringe or in larger, 325 g cartridges, which require a caulking gun to apply them
The bait is applied in ~ 1 cm³ “blobs” every 3 m at a height >1.5 m to the exterior of animal pens garden areas

Targeted Insecticide

ATTRATHOR is sold as a concentrate, which is diluted at a rate of 10 ml concentrate in 1 L of water in a garden spray bottle
The solution is sprayed in an approximately 15 cm line at 3 m intervals at heights greater than 1.5 m
The solution may be used inside animal pens, where paste bait is likely to dry out, fall on the ground and become accessible to stock animals
The solution is particularly effective when sprayed directly on to on foraging trails

Environmental /social considerations

Toxic to marine/aquatic life – enforce 5m no bait zone from high tide mark and any open water sources
Enforce a 42 day withholding period on harvesting vegetables or fruit grown in treatment areas treated with fipronil based products
Do not apply paste bait in direct sun – it dries out and becomes unattractive to ants
Do not use targeted insecticide when there is sufficient wind to pose a risk that spray will be carried into the operators face
To minimise the risk of spills in the treatment area, targeted insecticide should be stored and mixing should be done in a bunded area away from the treatment area and the diluted product carried into the field
Granular bait and dried out paste bait may be eaten by domestic or stock animals – pen animals away from treatment area or refrain from broadcasting bait where stock /domestic animals roam. ATTRATHOR is a better treatment option in these areas
Ensure all stakeholders are aware baiting is taking place and that children are kept away from or know not to touch bait

Equipment/materials required

Granular bait

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait which is sufficient to treat 0.1 ha
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Measuring jug or scoop – 1.5 L of bait equates to 1 kg
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying bait containers

and/or

Helicopter with hopper spreader

Paste bait

Caulking gun
Knife
Nitrile or thick gardening gloves

Targeted Insecticide

Garden spray bottle
Water supply
Nitrile gloves
Paper mask

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves
Paper mask

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling bait
Wear a mask when spraying ATTRATHOR outdoors

Information Sources

Burne, Barbieri, Gruber. 2015-2019. Management Plan Atafu, Tokelau (download 9 MB). Pacific Biosecurity Management Plan

Craddock. 2015. Yellow crazy ant treatment on Atafu Atoll, Tokelau (download 2.8 MB). FBA consulting Client report for Pacific Biosecurity

Hoffmann. 2009. Dhimurru yellow crazy ant management plan. A report prepared for Dhimurru Aboriginal Corporation

Lach, Hoskin. 2015. Too much to lose: yellow crazy ants in the Wet Tropics. Wildlife Australia Spring 2015: 37-41

Yellow crazy ant – near open water

Treatment products

Granular bait

Engage P (S-methoprene 5 g/kg) has been applied using manual spreaders in riparian areas and within 5 m of waterways and drains in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Queensland, Australia.

Note

Before deciding to use this bait, it should be noted that:
According to the 2004 Environmental Monitoring Branch of the US Department of Pesticide Regulations Document “Environmental Fate of methoprene”, S- methoprene binds with organic sediments in water and breaks down rapidly (80% reduction within 13 days) in the presence of sunlight, suggesting it’s availability to aquatic organisms is limited
However, it is described as moderately toxic to cold water and freshwater fish and practically non-toxic to warm water fish
Toxicity to aquatic invertebrates is highly variable ranging from low (Daphnia magna – LC50 900 µg/l) to high (Mysidopsis bahia - LOEL 2 µg/l). Bioaccumulation has been observed in the edible tissues of crayfish and bluegill sunfish

Other granular baits used to control yellow crazy ants such as

AntOff (fipronil 0.01 g/kg in a fish meal matrix)
Campaign (hydramethylnon 7.3 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)
Distance plus (pyriproxyfen 5 g/kg in a corn grit matrix)

SHOULD NOT be applied within 5 m of open water. As YCA forage between 35 and 100 m from their nest, this 5 m buffer should not adversely affect treatment of YCA nesting within 5 m of open water

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Apply bait when ants are most actively foraging – typically 6:00-10:00 am and 3:00- 6:00 pm
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective
Wait at least three months after previous treatment before treating again. This is to avoid bait shyness

Application method

Broadcast with manual spreaders
Baits other than Engage P should not be broadcast closer than 5 m to the high tide mark

Environmental /social considerations

Toxic to marine/aquatic life – enforce 5 m no bait zone from high tide mark and any open water sources
Do not apply bait when rain is likely within the next 6 hours
Ensure all stakeholders are aware baiting is taking place and that children are kept away from or know not to touch bait

Equipment required

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Measuring jug or scoop
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying bait containers

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling bait

Information Sources

Craddock. 2015. Yellow crazy ant treatment on Atafu Atoll, Tokelau (download 2.8 MB). FBA consulting Client report for Pacific Biosecurity

Lach, Hoskin. 2015. Too much to lose: yellow crazy ants in the Wet Tropics. Wildlife Australia Spring 2015: 37-41

Yellow crazy ant – conservation area

Option A) control in and around seabird colonies on atoll islets

Please read our note on homemade treatment products before choosing this method

Treatment products

Safari 20SG Insecticide (dinotefuran, 200 g/kg)

either

Mixed at 0.05% by weight with cat food for protein (25%), dark karo (corn) syrup for carbohydrates (25%), water (~50%) and a small amount of xanthan gum, a thickening agent. This paste bait is then applied with squirt guns.
Application rate 24.1 kg/ha

dry Safari pellets are dissolved in water at a rate of 2.5 g/L (to make a 0.05% solution) then the solution is used to saturate dehydrated hydrogel beads
Application rate 96 L/ha

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Apply bait a few hours before sunset to avoid bait drying out in the sun
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective

Application method

Paste bait

Applied with high volume squirt guns (36” Stream Machine Water Soaker or equivalent)

Gel bait

Applied by hand using a plastic ladle to haphazardly scatter the bait

Equipment required

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Plastic container
Ladle/spoon
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying containers, water and bait
Nitrile Gloves

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling bait

Option B) control for tropical forest with high endemism in Northern Queensland

Treatment products

Engage P (S-methoprene 5 g/kg)
Application rate 5 kg/ha

Timing

Do not apply bait during the wet season or during rainy weather
Do not apply bait if only pupae are present in nests
Nest should contain larvae and/or new queens for baiting to be effective

Application method

Granular bait

Broadcast by helicopter over forested areas
Manual spreaders in riparian areas and within 5 m of waterways
The bait is applied to infested areas three times a year, for three years

Environmental /social considerations

The 2004 Environmental Monitoring Branch of the US Department of Pesticide Regulations Document “Environmental Fate of methoprene”, indicates S- methoprene binds with organic sediments in water and breaks down rapidly (80% reduction within 13 days) in the presence of sunlight, suggesting it’s availability to aquatic organisms is limited
However, it is described as moderately toxic to cold water and freshwater fish and practically non-toxic to warm water fish
Toxicity to aquatic invertebrates is highly variable ranging from low (Daphnia magna – LC50 900 µg/L) to high (Mysidopsis bahia - LOEL 2 µg/L)
Bioaccumulation has been observed in the edible tissues of crayfish and bluegill sunfish
S-methoprene is an insect growth regulator it does not kill adult ants, so several treatments may be required before a noticeable decline in numbers is observed

Equipment required

Manual spreader(s) – each spreader holds approximately 1 kg of bait
Multiple spreaders may be employed to speed the application process
Measuring jug or scoop – 1.5 L of bait equates to 1 kg
Vehicle or wheelbarrow for carrying bait containers

and/or (aerial application)

Helicopter with hopper spreader

Personal Protective Equipment

Nitrile gloves or thick gardening gloves

Health and Safety

Always read the SDS for the bait
Always wear gloves when handling bait
Always wash hands with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking after handling

Information Sources

Further information was provided by Lucy Karger, Yellow Crazy Ant Eradication Programme Coordinator, Wet Tropics Management Authority

Chalker-Scott. 2001. The Myth of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels. Extension publication Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University

Chalker-Scott. undated . The Myth of Polyacrylamide Hydrogels Revisited. Extension publication Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University

Chalker-Scott.2007. Miracle, myth or marketing super-absorbent water crystals. Master Gardener Article

Reference material used in the Chalker-Scott articles cited here: https://puyallup.wsu.edu/lcs/reference-polyacrylamide-gels/

Csondes. 2004. Environmental fate of methoprene. Report for Department of Pesticide Regulation California Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Monitoring Branch

Kropidlowski, Woodward, Plentovich. 2012. Successful control of yellow crazy ants at Johnston Atoll NWR. 20th Annual Hawai’i Conservation Conference (Talk) https://vimeo.com/56951285

Lach, Hoskin. 2015. Too much to lose: yellow crazy ants in the Wet Tropics. Wildlife Australia Spring 2015: 37-41

Peck, Banko, Donmoyer, Kropidlowski, Pollock. 2015. Efforts to eradicate yellow crazy ants on Johnston Atoll: results from crazy ant strike team IX, December 2014-June 2015. Hawaii Cooperative Studies Unit HCSU-067. DOI: http://hdl.handle.net/10790/2586

content reviewed by Ben Hoffmann, CSIRO Australia, January 2017