Mounding Treatments Research Articles

Award Mound Treatments for Harvester Ant Control in Old-Field Pastures, Nm, 1992

Abstract Award 1% bait formulation was applied to harvester ant mounds in an open pasture near Estancia, NM. Treatments were randomized and replicated 6 times. Ant mounds were checked for activity, selected and marked, and counts made of active ants on and in the clear area of each mound and the number of active mound openings prior to treatment on 12 Jun. Treatments were made by sprinkling a measured amount of bait around each mound opening.

Disturbance, colonization and succession in a deep-sea sediment community: artificial-mound experiments

Megafaunally produced sediment mounds can be sites of rapid biodeposition and may be important sources of infaunal disturbance aat the deep-sea floor. We conducted experiments in the Santa Catalina Basin (1240 m depth) using artificial mounds (≈9 cm high by 35 cm wide) to assess macrobenthic disturbance from mound formation and to evaluate modes and patterns of recolonization. To differentiate colonization modes, we created two types of mounds: unfloored (allowing all potential colonists) and floored (excluding burrowing immigrants). Burial beneath an average of 5–6 cm of artificial-mound sediments yielded a 32% reduction in macrofaunal abundance over time scales of ≤1 month. All functional groups were disturbed by burial, although subsurface deposit feeders appearedd to be the least susceptible. In addition, eight of the 14 dominant background species showed significant population reduction on mound treatments. Macrobenthos in unfloored treatments reached background levels of abundance after 11 months, suggesting colonization rates 3 × higher than estimated by previous deep-sea studies using colonization trays. Comparisons between floored and unfloored treatments suggest that burrowing was a significant dispersal mode for colonists. Intermediate peaks in the abundance of two infaunal species on unfloored artificial mounds, as well as changes in trophic-group composition, indicate that community succession proceeded for at least 23 months, these treatments also exhibited enhanced species diversity, providing the first direct evidence that the intermediate disturbance hypothesis helps to explain high macrobenthic diversity in the deep sea.

Imported Fire Ant Control on Non-Cropland in South Mississippi, 1991

Abstract This experiment was conducted in three locations in Covington, Jasper, and Newton Counties in south Mississippi. Each location consisted of three replications. Each replication was about 1000 ft1 consisting of 10 active fire ant mounds. Treatments were made on 12, 7, and 6 Jun in Covington, Jasper, and Newton Counties, respectively. A second treatment was made on 12, 8, and 8 Jul in Covington, Jasper, and Newton Counties, respectively. Granular formulations were applied as mound treatments. Imported fire ant hill density was determined by visual observation. Pretreatment counts were made the same day of treatment and four posttreatment counts were made encompassing about 7, 14, 30, and 41 DAT.

Insecticide Evaluation for Control of the Red Imported Fire Ant, 1989

Abstract The study utilized 32 plots of approximately %-acre size in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications of 8 treatments. Prior to initiation, fire ant mounds (both single and multiple queen colonies present) were counted and marked with 12-inch garden stakes in each plot. A centrally located Vi-acre circle was designated in each plot for fire ant population monitoring. The study began 15 Aug 1989 in a 30-acre field at the LSU St. Gabriel Research Station in Iverville Parish, LA. Applications were initiated on 1 Sep and were completed on 11 Sep. Tralomethrin and Lorsban were applied to individual mounds using a solo backpack sprayer (14 psi), 1 pt of finished formulation sprayed over the surface of each mound. Amdro and Fortress individual mound treatments were applied using 1-qt "shaker" jars with holes in the lids. Amdro and Dursban broadcast treatments were applied using a cyclone spreader. Bengal Fire Ant Killer (tralomethrin 0.3 EC) broadcast treatments were applied with a tractor-sprayer (40 psi). After treatment, each mound was designated with a painted stake for further monitoring. Counts for population monitoring and % control were made on 12 Oct and 9 Nov.

Influence of two site preparation treatments on ecophysiology of planted Piceaengelmannii × glauca seedlings

The effects of mounding and soil scarification on microclimate, water relations, photosynthesis, and growth of planted Piceaengelmannii × glauca seedlings were evaluated over three growing seasons. Mounding increased soil temperatures by up to 40% at depths of 5 and 12 cm, but not at 30 cm, during periods of dry, clear weather. Scarification resulted in small increases in soil temperature only at the 5 cm depth. Soil water potential and soil water content were lower in mounds, but similar in scarified patches and controls from midsummer through fall. Transpiration, leaf conductance, and xylem pressure potentials were generally reduced by mounding and to a much lesser extent by scarification compared with controls. However, these responses were complicated by interactions with leaf to air vapor density differences and possibly by soil temperatures. Treatments had no significant effects on diurnal or light responses of photosynthesis. Mounding increased stem and needle weights during the first one-half of the growing season in the first 2 years after planting, but growth was reduced later in the season, probably as a result of increased water stress. Root growth in mounds was significantly greater than scarified patches and controls in all 3 years. Growth patterns for seedlings planted in scarified patches and control treatments were similar to each other. By the end of the third growing season after planting, seedlings in mound treatments had greater stem diameters and total seedling weight was more than double that of controls, but there was little difference in height. Seedlings in scarified patches were similar to controls in diameter and height, but had slightly greater total weights. Results suggest that the positive effects of improved soil temperatures and root growth in mound treatments were negated to a large extent by increased water stress in the first two seasons. By the third growing season, roots were beyond significant drying influence of the mound and their greater length and mass served to increase seedling biomass substantially.

Effects of Amdro Fire Ant Insecticide Mound Treatments on Southern California Ants, 1982

Abstract Acceptability of Amdro fire ant insecticide to 12 species of ants was determined in Sep at 3 elevations by mound applications. All Myrmicine species accepted bait to a greater or lesser degree and rate of colony kill was inversely related to speed of bait acceptance. Foragers from nests of P. californicus located at 3 different elevations did not accept bait as readily at the highest elevation as at the lower 2. Acceptance of bait appeared to be mitigated by the degree of satiation of the colonies. At 300 M elevation seeds of annuals and perennials were very scarce and bait was entirely removed into the nests within 1 h of application. At 900 M, P. californicus nested in an open sandy area adjacent to a stream course in a woodland canyon where L. occidentale was nesting in Torested sites. Seed availability at this elevation was poor at the time of treatment. At 1500 ‘R seed supplies were abundant and some bait particles remained on P. californicus nest discs after 1 wk. Nests of V. pergandei were located at ca 300 M elevation in uncultivated sandy areas and foragers avidly collected bait. Nests of S. maniosa treated were located at the same elevation, but in or adjacent to urban lawns and bait acceptance was considerably slower. Nests of F. pruinosum and T. sessile were also encounted in this habitat and foragers of these species shunned the bait entirely. Nests of P. rugosus were encountered at ca 600 M elevation in uncultivated foothill grassland and were large perennial colonies known to be 3 or more years of age at the time of treatment. The remaining 2 Myrmicine species V. andrei and V. chamberlini were found at 1500 M elevation in grassland areas also densely inhabited by P. californicus, C. bicolor, and C. insana. V. andrei was slow to accept bait but none remained on the nest mound after 2 wk. The rare species, V. chamberlini, readily accepted bait and even foraged bait which had been applied to P. californicus nests several meters away.

Imported Fire Ant Control - Individual Mound Treatment with Ambush, 1981

Abstract Preliminary dosage range tests were begun in Feb 1978. Subsequent replicated field tests were conducted under summer and winter conditions. During cold weather a tractor-mounted scrape blade was utilized to remove the above ground mound parts followed by an immediate application of finished spray at the rate of 1 qt/mound. The spray was directed at the mound and the immediate surrounding area. Scraping was omitted in the summer applications to avoid possible escape of the queen. Circular plots 170 ft dia were used for the replicated tests. Weekly observations were made post-treatment to evaluate the results on the inside 100 ft dia of the treated area.

Imported Fire Ant Control with 1,1,1, Trichloroethane - Individual Mound Treatment, 1981

Abstract 1,1,1 trichloroethane was evaluated as a direct pour-on treatment for control of the imported fire ant during 1978-80. Preliminary dosage rate tests were begun in 1978. Treatment was made following identification of all active colonies in the test area. Actual treatment consisted of pouring a pre-measured amount directly on the mound. Following effective dosage determination, circular plots 150 ft in dia were utilized. All active colonies in each plot were treated, data was collected from the inside 100 ft dia area. Treatments were replicated 4 times, water was used as the control treatment. All colonies (mounds) received the same dosage rate regardless of the mound size. Mortality was observed post-treatment by digging into each mound and estimating the number of live ants remaining. Colonies were considered active if live ants were found in the mound.

Red Imported Fire Ant Control With GRANULAR DIAZINON, MISSISSIPPI, 1972

Abstract Granular diazinon (Spectracide, 2% Al , and Diazinon 14G, 14% Al) was used in field tests of two methods of application against the red imported fire ant in improved Bahia grass pastures in Hancock County, Mississippi. Broadcast applications were made with a tractor mounted granular applicator, applying the materials at the rate of 2.5, 5, and 10 lb a . i . / a c r e . Individual mound treatments were made by opening each mound in the treatment plot with a shovel, introducing 1.5 to 2.5 oz of granular material and mixing with the soil of the mound. The exact amount of material added per mound was determined by the number of mounds per acre and varied per plot so that the total amount of active material used on each plot was 0.25 or 0.5 lb/acre. Treatments were compared with untreated check plots. Each treatment was · replicated two times. Plots were 1 acre square and contained 24 to 64 live colonies. Mortality counts were restricted to the 1/2 acre in the center of each plot, the remaining area was left as a buffer to prevent reinfestation from outside the treated area. The treatments were made in Aug 1972. Percent control was determined by comparing the number of living colonies in the plots 1 week before treatment with the number of surviving colonies in the plot at 4 intervals after the treatment.

Individual Mound Treatments for Control of the Western Harvester Ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis, in Wyoming1

Research on the control of the western harvester ant, Pogonomyrmex occidentalis (Cresson), by treating mounds individually was carried out in 1962 and 1963. Of the insecticides tested, fenthion and Bayer 39007 (o-isopropoxy phenyl phethyl methylcarbamate), in water, when poured down the entrance of the mounds gave less than 70% control. Bayer 38920 (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahy-dro-3-methyl-6,9-methano-2,4-benzodioxepin) provided no control. Mirex and ENT 27005 (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,8-nonachloro. 3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-4,7-methanoindane) on corncob grits mixed with soybean oil provided excellent control in southeastern Wyoming. Niether mirex (0.075 and 0.15%) nor ENT 27005 (0.075%) gave acceptable control in central Wyoming. Later tests in central Wyoming with Kepone® (decachlorooctahydro-1,3,4-metheno-2H-cyclobuta [ cd ]pentalen-2-one) Ant and Roach bait (0.125%) and mirex (0.125%) with peanut-meal base provided better control than was obtained with other bases. Excellent control was obtained with mirex when tallow was substituted for soybean oil on the corncob-grit bait.

Some Ecological Effects of Heptachlor on Birds

A 2-year study was devoted to determining effects on birds of heptachlor applications in varying amounts (0.25, 0.50, and 2.00 lb per acre), used in attempts to eradicate the imported fire ant (Solenopsis saevissima) in Mississippi. All treatment rates decimated arthropod populations, caused bird mortality, and altered bird behavior patterns; none eradicated the ants permanently. More birds died after an application of 0.25 lb per acre than after applications of 0.50 and 2.00 lb. Nesting birds and ground-dwelling insectivorous birds were most noticeably affected, presumably through contamination of insect food sources. Recovery of insect and bird populations from the effects of treatment was fairly complete after the lapse of a year. Measures suggested for reducing wildlife damage include restricting treatment to relatively small acreages, applying insecticides outside the nesting season, and using such alternative methods of attack on fire ants as baits, individual mound treatment, and more selective insecticides. Investigations were conducted from May, 1959, to July, 1961, to compare effects on bird populations of three different rates of heptachlor applications used in an effort to control the imported fire ant in Mississippi. The study attempted to determine whether wildlife damage still occurred when applications of heptachlor were reduced from 2.00 lb per acre applied once a year, in July, to 0.25 and 0.50 lb per acre applied twice a year, in April and September. The project was supported by the Agricultural Research Service, Plant Pest Control Division, U. S. Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Mississippi State Plant Board. Joseph L. Knapp, Bobby Moore, and David H. Vickers served as field assistants. DESCRIPTION OF STUDY AREAS One study area was a 48-acre dairy pasture, 9 miles east of Starkville, Mississippi. About 40 percent of the area was partially cleared land, and supported grasses, sedges, brambles, and scattered clumps of hardwood regeneration. The remainder of the plot was forested with oaks (Quercus spp.), hickories (Carya spp.), elms (Ulmus spp.), and small numbers of several other species. Both dense stands of timber and semiopen woodlands were included. This area was treated with 2.00 lb of heptachlor per acre in the first week of July, 1959. Ground equipment and some hand treating were employed. Adjacent areas were not treated. Two other study areas were located on a 2,000-acre farm near Macon, Mississippi. Both were cattle and horse pastures, with f w trees except along fencerows. One, an 84-acre plot, received an aerial application of 0.25 lb of heptachlor per acre on April 26, 1960, and another identical application on September 6, 1960. The other, a 65-acre plot, received similar applications of 0.50 lb per acre on April 28 and September 14, 1960. Lands adjoining the study plots on three sides also were treated with the insecticide. All heptachlor applications were supervised by USDA personnel. In addition, there was a 60-acre control area at the Macon site which received no treatment at all. It was a pasture similar to the study plots and was located nearly a mile from treated lands. None of the plots was treated in 1961.

Residual Effectiveness of Chlorinated Hydrocarbons for Control of the Imported Fire Ant1

Experiments were conducted in Alabama from 1953 to 1958 on control of the imported fire ant, Solenopsis saevissima v. richteri Forel. Chlordane as a dust and in granular formulation, aldrin in emulsion spray and granular formulation, dieldrin in emulsion spray and granular formulation and in fertilizer mixture, and heptachlor in granular formulation and fertilizer mixture were applied in late winter or early spring in a series of experiments to permanent sod lands. Two pounds of heptachlor or dieldrin, or 4 pounds of chlordane per acre, when broadcast as granules, were highly effective for control of the ant and afforded good control for a period of 3 to 5 years. In one experiment, granulated dieldrin was effective for a longer period than a dieldrin emulsion spray. Lower dosages of the insecticides gave good control for 1 year after treatment, but they were ineffective thereafter. When the insecticides were mixed with fertilizer, approximately the same degree of fire ant control was obtained as when the insecticides were used alone. Chlordane mound treatment killed the ants in the treated mounds but did not prevent reinfestation. When broadcast treatments lost their effectiveness, the number of mounds per acre was greater than on the non-treated areas, but the new mounds were smaller in size. Based on 1-year results, airplane application of 5% or 10% heptachlor at a rate of 2 pounds of technical material per acre were equally effective for control of the imported fire ant. Soil type appeared to have no effect on fire ant control.