Broadcast Treatment of Granular Insecticides for Control of the Red Imported Fire Ant in Urban Landscapes, 1996

Abstract

Abstract Late summer broadcast applications were applied on 7 Aug. 1996 in Collin Co., TX. Granular formulations of bifenthrin including Talstar, were compared with Dursban, diazinon and an untreated check. Treatments were applied with a walk-behind drop spreader to plots (500-700 ft2), each with 5 to 10 (mean = 8) active colonies. Plots were delineated with white turf marking paint; each colony was identified by numbers painted on the turf near the mound. Pre-treatment foraging activity was assayed by placing three 8-dram shell vial traps, baited with hot dog chips, near the center of each plot and no closer than 3 ft from an active colony. Vials were collected and RIFA foragers counted after 30 min exposure. Plots were divided into 4 reps based upon pre-treatment foraging numbers. RIFA foraging activity was assessed 2 d before treatments, and 1 d, 3 d, and at 1, 2, 4, and 6 wk after treatment. Mound mortality was determined at 1, 2, 4, and 6 wk after treatment by stomping hard (4-5 times) on the soil or turf in a 1 -ft circle around each mound. Upon disturbance, an active mound would yield many active workers. For the ratings at 4 and 6 wk, a hot dog chip was dropped upon the mound and observed 20-30 min later. If the colony was active, workers were foraging the piece of hot dog within this time period.