Imported fire ants: 10-5, an alternate formulation of mirex bait.

Abstract

The formulation of mirex bait was modified so the soybean oil was applied to the corncob grits at 2 times; mirex was included in only the 2nd application. The bait (called 10–5) contained only ⅓ (0.1%) as much toxicant as the standard 4× bait (0.3%). The procedure concentrated the toxicant on or near the surface of the grits, which made the mirex more available to Solenopsis invicta Buren and S. richteri Forel. In 3 field tests against natural infestations of S. invicta with 10–5, the control obtained was comparable to that obtained with the standard.