Integrated management of carpenter ants

From an anthropocentric vision we could define ants as a true pest. They are black or red, large or small, and indoor or outdoor. On some occasions, under adverse environmental conditions, outdoor ants can be seen invading the interior of homes and various buildings. The presence of these individuals can cause real economic losses. They can damage building structures, reduce the quality of edible products and even make it difficult to establish extensive crops. These insects, like bees, wasps and bumblebees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. They have a very marked social behavior and tend to group together in large colonies. They can be found distributed throughout the world, inhabiting places with extremely dissimilar environmental conditions. The family that represents them is called Formicidae, and within it they are grouped into eleven different subfamilies. Fortunately, of the 297 genera and 8,804 existing species, only a small percentage represents a problem at the urban and rural level. A society of ants is perfectly divided into castes. In this way, each individual in the colony adopts a specific role, with predetermined and coordinated functions. They represent true female societies, where males only fulfill reproductive functions. One or more queens and a variable number of workers coexist in an anthill depending on the species. The workers will be in charge of maintaining cleanliness, feeding and caring for the queen(s) and their young, as well as protecting the nest. Reproduction in ants is sexual, where copulation occurs between males and females after the nuptial flight. This flight occurs after the formation of the swarm, a reproductive period when winged individuals become visible. Swarming is strongly related to climatic conditions and generally occurs between the months of September and November depending on the species and latitude (spring-summer). Some other species of ants also reproduce sexually, but without requiring flight.

bridal. In these cases, the multiplication of anthill occurs through a process called budding or budding, through which a queen moves to a new site with a group of workers. In the case of the Camponotus sp genus, after copulation, the fertilized queen acquires the ability to give birth to fertile eggs. Small larvae will emerge from these eggs and complete their development after molting twice. The mature larva will develop a pupa that will finally give rise to the adult. Technically this represents a holometaboly, also known as complete metamorphosis and characterized by the presence of an egg, larvae, pupa and adult. The time from egg to adult can be 57 to 75 days under normal conditions.

normal T° and H° (spring – summer), while the longevity of the queens is variable, but can reach 7 to 10 years. Their diet is extremely varied, although they prefer sugary liquid substances (nectar, plant sap, homopteran secretions, etc.). Despite their aforementioned preference, if the laying of eggs by the queen is important, the development of larvae inside the nest will be important, and in that period the worker ants will prioritize the entry of protein derivatives in order to favor larval development. Trophallaxis is a common practice, and it is a mechanism by which ants transfer liquid food mouth to mouth, from one to another. This type of behavior allows insecticides based on toxic baits to be so highly effective. It is important to note that carpenter ants are not xylophagous, they do not feed on wood, they simply generate galleries in the soft grain of wood in order to house eggs and later larvae. For this they use their jaws, and the result of this damage to the wood is small flakes very similar to the tobacco inside a cigarette. To efficiently control ants, it is essential to implement different strategies that allow for adequate integrated management. These strategies contemplate cultural control (environmental planning), physical-mechanical control and chemical control. Without a doubt, the latest innovations regarding products for ant control are represented by insecticidal formulations,

mainly baits (gels, liquids and granules). In any comprehensive pest program it is VERY IMPORTANT to know the different species. In relation to ants, recognition is established in some morphological and behavioral differences. Regarding the morphological differences, primary attention must be paid to the size and number of segments (gears) that make up the antennae. At the same time, it is important to determine the presence or absence of club, thickening of the last two or three segments, at the apex of the antenna. All ants have geniculate antennae (at 90°), although in Camponotus sp. There are twelve artejos or antenites and no apical nail. On the thorax, the presence or absence of spines must be determined. If they are present, the important thing is the number, generally in pairs, and the length. The carpenter ant lacks dorsal spines at the thoracic level. The abdomen has a pedicel that can be one or two segments; when it is one it may or may not be visible. In this case,

Camponotus sp. , has a segment in the abdominal pedicle, almost hidden under the rest of the abdomen (gaster) and with a row of simple hairs at the dorsal level. In general, its color is variable, at home level the most common turns out to be Camponotus mus,

From the anthill the colony is divided into castes (queen, workers and males), each of them with specific activities. There is a queen per colony who is responsible for increasing the number of individuals by laying eggs. Two queens rarely coexist

TO EFFICIENTLY CONTROL ANTS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO IMPLEMENT DIFFERENT STRATEGIES THAT ALLOW TO CARRY OUT PROPER INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT with a matte black body and a high density of yellowish-white hairs on the abdomen. The morphological structures of the workers turn out to be the same, but the variation in size generates the existence of POLYMORPHIC individuals. The workers can measure from 3.5 to 13 millimeters. This ant has main and satellite anthills, and can be found either outdoors or indoors. Inside

in the same anthill. The workers are responsible for feeding the queen and her young, as well as cleaning the anthill and protecting it. Males only perform reproductive functions during the swarming period. In general they feed on sugary substances, mainly acidic syrups. In any case, at certain times of the year you can see foraging ants feeding on insects or dead animals and other protein sources. This species is characterized by making long linear paths that pass through party walls, electricity or telephone cables, trees, fences, etc. These ants cause direct and indirect damage to roofs, wooden buildings and old trees. The direct damage is caused by the galleries that the ants dig in the wood to house their young. Indirectly, the temperature and humidity generated by the colony favor the development of fungi. The presence on the roofs of homes causes the accumulation of wood chips and sawdust, as well as dead ants on the floors of the affected environments. To carry out effective control of carpenter ant, it is essential, as far as possible, to detect the main anthill (Queen / eggs / small larval stages / workers) and the satellites (Workers / mature larval stages / pupae). A thorough inspection of the interior of the home (roofs, wet areas, etc.) and the garden (trunks, trees, woodsheds, etc.) should be carried out. Environment management involves removing branches that

allow circulation circuits between anthills, trees, cables and roofs, hence the importance of carrying out corrective pruning with those branches that touch the construction. Eliminate woodsheds and piles of debris if they exist on the infested property, at least those close to the construction. Aspiration, in those cases where nests are detected, is very effective. As chemical management strategies we can mention manual applications based on residual formulations on perimeters, trying to avoid the activity of food supply paths, application of insecticidal dust in specific places (roofs, perforated trunks or hollow walls) and, in addition, the use of insecticidal fumes, aerosols or mists indoors if necessary. An important tool is anticide baits (gels, liquids and granules). This type of formulation has a “delayed” but extremely effective insecticidal effect, due to the efficient distribution carried out by the ants within the nest. It is key to strategically place the baits, close to entry points to the building structures, and in sufficient quantity as it is consumed. The use of feeders is key if it is going to be used outdoors and runs the risk of being degraded or eliminated by rainwater, dirt or dehydrated by the sun. Consider that the use of gels or baits in general are antagonistic to the use of insecticides by spraying, except where applications are limited to “cutting” paths of interaction and food transfer between anthills.