Funnel Ants
- Article
- Funnel Ants
Funnel Ants
Scientific name: Aphaenogaster longiceps
How to indentify funnel ants
Funnel ants are a shiny brown ant with obvious hair covering head. Body size is 5.0 – 8.0 mm (workers are of variable size), with two nodes on petiole.
Where are funnel ants commonly found?
The various funnel ant species build nests in a variety of wooded habitats, from rain forests to dry open forests along the coastal fringe. The common species, A. longiceps and A. pythia, build nests in lawn and grassed areas whether their represent a significant pest problem.
Why are funnel ants considered a pest?
Not only do funnel ant nests affect the appearance of lawn / grassed areas, but their extensive excavation can undermine the soil structure. This in turn can create uneven ground which can cause injury and damage mowing equipment. In the domestic situation this can affect the property value and on sporting fields it can affect playability.
Funnel ants will sting but are not particularly aggressive, although they will emerge from their nest in small numbers to defend against intruders
What is the biology and lifecycle of funnel ants?
Sexually mature ants swarm from nests during November. Mating takes place in the air, and females return to the ground to start new colonies. It takes 49-60 days to make new workers. Tunnels 7 mm in diameter are dug under the stool and into the subsoil. In deep sandy subsoils tunnels can be deeper than 2 m. Ants do not tunnel into clay subsoil. Oval chambers 5 cm by 2 cm are built for rearing young. Ants live in shallow chambers in the stool zone during the wet season and deeper chambers during the dry. Funnel ants make small cuts in roots and eat root sap. Several species of planthopper which share ant tunnels also feed on cane roots.
Management Tips For Funnel Ants
Effectively control depends upon a number of factors:
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The particular species involved,
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The location of the nest site(s) and,
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The degree of concern they are causing the occupants.
It may be easy to control a colony with a single queen (Camponotus spp), or difficult in the case of species with multiple queens and multiple “homes” and which do not display aggression to workers from other nests (Argentine ants, Odorous house ants and Pharaoh’s ants). That is why correct identification is essential before you begin your campaign.
Ant granules were perfect for the control of some ant species to exterior areas. Most insecticide manufacturers suggest that a two-pronged approach with both baits and liquid sprays be used in order to obtain best results. These manufacturers all supply bulletins with complete instructions on how to use their products. The product labels and these bulletins should all be studied before using any of the materials.
The basic rules for the use of baits are:
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The basic premise is that bait should hopefully be consumed within 1 to 2 days when their palatability and moisture content are highest. The ants should die within 3 to 4 days.
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Correct identification – by knowing the species, you can choose the right bait for the job and can also help you find their feeding, trailing and nesting sites.
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Find the trails – you must place the bait where the ants are otherwise you are wasting time and bait. If the ants aren’t active at the time, you can pre-bait first with non-toxic foodstuffs. This will help you determine where the ants are feeding and what type of food they prefer.
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Choose the correct bait formulation, they may prefer sweet foods or protein based materials. Sometimes the same species will change food preferences depending upon seasons or other conditions. Therefore, you need to have a range of baits in your kit bag. If you just put a small blob of each bait in the ant trails, you will very soon find which they prefer.
Some key rules to observe are:
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Place the bait as close as possible to ant trails which are usually near feeding or nesting sites.
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Place adequate amounts of bait out to ensure that they will continue to feed until your next visit. By placing the bait in purpose designed “ant cafes,” you will extend the life of the bait.
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Avoid food competition by asking the client to remove available foodstuffs and liquids.
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Avoid placing gel baits near sources of heat as the gel matrix may become liquefied and moisture loss may increase. Also, avoid placing them on dry or porous surfaces which may increase water loss and make them less palatable to ants.
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Some baits lose their potency after only a few days exposure to sunlight. Make sure that you know which they are and replace them as required.
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Some granulated baits lose their potency around three months after the container has been opened. Make sure that you write on the container the date on which it was opened.
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A common piece of advice is that you mustn’t place baits on surfaces that have or will be treated with liquid or powder insecticides. Studies carried out by some researchers have indicated that this is not the case and the baits are still palatable. Some pest managers have stated, “Why waste money by applying two formulations?” and that is probably a good rule to live by. You may be able to control the ant problem without the use of insecticidal sprays and dusts but, all manufacturers recommend that bait applications are supplemented by the use of such formulations when treating free standing buildings. These insecticidal barriers will serve to prevent future ant activity to the interior.
The basic rules for the use of residual insecticide sprays are:
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Non-repellent formulations are considered superior to repellent formulations e.g. synthetic pyrethroids, as the ants will track through the non-repellent insecticide unknowingly. Examples of non-repellent actives and formulations are Bendiocarb (Ficam), Fipronil (Termidor), Indoxacarb (Arilon), Chlorfenapyr (Phantom).
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The sprays should be applied as a barrier to the base of foundation walls, fence lines and garden beds.
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Re-application of the sprays may be necessary after rain.
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Insecticidal dusts should be applied to roof voids where practical.
PRODUCT SOLUTIONS
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Biforce Granular Insecticide
2g/kg Bifenthrin
A ready to use contact residual granular insecticide for external control of ants, fleas and ticks in areas such as gardens, lawns, around BBQs and other external surrounds of buildings and structures.
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Delta Pro 25SC Professional Insecticide
25g/L Deltamethrin
For the control of a range of insect pests such as spiders, cockroaches, flies, ants, mosquitoes in various situations.
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Suspend Flexx Insecticide
25g/L Deltamethrin
Suspend Flexx Insecticide is a synthetic pyrethroid (3A) formulation for the knockdown and residual control of a range of insect pests in various indoor and outdoor situations.
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Suspend Flexx Insecticide 500mL
25g/L Deltamethrin
Suspend Flexx Insecticide is a synthetic pyrethroid (3A) formulation for the knockdown and residual control of a range of insect pests in various indoor and outdoor situations.
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Suspend Flexx Insecticide 3L
25g/L Deltamethrin
Suspend Flexx Insecticide is a synthetic pyrethroid (3A) formulation for the knockdown and residual control of a range of insect pests in various indoor and outdoor situations.
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Brigade Granular Insecticide
2g/kg Bifenthrin
Brigade Granular Insecticide is formulated for the control of certain pests in turf and for control of ants, fleas and ticks in external surrounds of buildings and structures. Permit held for application in potting media for use in container grown ornamentals to control Red Imported Fire Ants for various intervals.
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Starrdust PRO One-Shot Insecticidal Dust 400g
20g/kg Permethrin, 5g/kg Triflumuron
The Starrdust PRO One-Shot Insecticidal Dust 400g is an industrial-strength dust designed for use with the Starrdust PRO Duckbill Duster. It is a ready-to-use broad-spectrum insecticide with a unique formulation. It controls a wide range of insect pests including cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, ants, fleas, carpet beetles, bed bugs, European wasps, feral honey bees, bird mites, subterranean termites, hide beetles, millipedes, woodlice and clothes moths.
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Starrdust PRO One-Shot Insecticidal Dust 19 x 400g + Duckbill
20g/kg Permethrin, 5g/kg Triflumuron
A convenient kit of 19 x Starrdust PRO One-Shot Insecticidal Dust 400g Pods and a bonus Duckbill Duster. StarrDust PRO is an industrial-strength dust designed for use with the Starrdust PRO Duckbill Duster. It is a ready-to-use broad-spectrum insecticide with a unique formulation. It controls a wide range of insect pests including cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, ants, fleas, carpet beetles, bed bugs, European wasps, feral honey bees, bird mites, subterranean termites, hide beetles, millipedes, woodlice and clothes moths.
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Delta Pro 25SC Professional Insecticide - 1L
25g/L Deltamethrin
For the control of a range of insect pests such as spiders, cockroaches, flies, ants, mosquitoes in various situations.
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Delta Pro 25SC Professional Insecticide-5L
25g/L Deltamethrin
For the control of a range of insect pests such as spiders, cockroaches, flies, ants, mosquitoes in various situations.
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Taser Pro 800 WP Insecticide
800g/L Bendiocarb
Taser Pro Insecticide is a residual broad spectrum non-repellent spray for the control of a wide range of insect pests in domestic, farm, agricultural, industrial, commercial and public service buildings.
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Tempo Residual Insecticide 1L
25 g/L betacyfluthrin
Tempo Residual Insecticide is a fast-acting, knock-down, broad-spectrum insecticide for general insect control in domestic and commercial situations, as well as for the control of pest insects of turf and ornamental plants.
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