New LFA thread (p.s. Tango doesn't work)

[terracore]

quote:

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Originally posted by ericlp

So tango really doesn't work now? Maybe mix a stronger bait formula? Add more peanut oil or something to attract them to it more? I wonder why it stopped working?

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To email me click on Link http://is.gd/QMfVEX

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I don't know that Tango ever worked. The ant lab never provided any scientific studies suggesting that it did, and when it came down to eradication on the other islands, the "go to" solution was something completely different than Tango.

The ingredient in Tango is safe in nearly any situation (one of the ant lab articles even says that its safe in drinking water).

My guess is that they were tasked with coming up with an effective safe solution. They came up with a safe solution.

But when the LFA started infesting Maui and Oahu, suddenly gears have shifted and a "new" chemical that has been there all along suddenly is fast-tracked for use in LFA in Hawaii. I'd like to think that its coincidence.

But to answer your question, in my email correspondence with the ant lab about the bait, I asked the exact same question about the oil. The response:

"We tested a variety of oils including peanut oil, and found that safflower oil and corn oil were consistently good. Peanut oil is a lot more expensive but not any better".

I don't know if the problem was with the bait. I think the problem is that Tango is not an insecticide, its a hormone inhibitor, and LFA are well documented for using a combination of sexual and asexual reproduction methods. The hormone inhibitor is supposed to make the queens less fertile and the pupae less likely to develop. Sounds great, but not the option they chose to use on the other islands.

I don't want anybody to misinterpret that I'm suggesting the ant lab wasn't doing everything they possibly could. I think they were. There are a lot of laws and regulations about using insecticides and I know their hands are tied about what they are allowed to research with and recommend to the public. Scientists aren't politicians, and only politicians can green light things like emergency lava declarations or pulling the strings that allow new uses of insecticides.

ETA: stuff about oil, etc

[ironyak]

If I remember correctly, fipronil aka Termidor, is commonly used as the underhouse soil treament for Formosan Termites required by Hawaii code during construction (if a physical barrier is not used). As such, hundreds of gallons is sprayed under each house, and with an effective lifespan of -10 years, fipronil is very likely to have an impact on many insect species.

This is not a defense of its use, only a recognition that there are large-scale, legally required applications of insecticides that dwarf any impacts from insect control efforts by homeowners.

[bystander]

So all the time, effort, and money I put into making and using the Tango was just a waste? Actually I haven't noticed any decrease in the LFA population so it probably is true.

[pbmaise]

Coincidentally I stepped right on a nest of fire ants on shore today.

I returned with my Regent 50SC which is 5% Fipronil.

Termidor SC contains the active ingredient
9.1%. Fipronil

Dilution was 3 drops in 100 cc. I use
. a syringe to extract it from the bottle. I then loaded up on the diluted liquid and coated small pieces of paper placed on aluminum foil directly over the nest. For bait peanut butter. I observed long enough to see a small swarm traveling from the ground onto the foil. Not all, but many also checked out the paper. They returned to the peanut butter or hole talking to each ant along the way.

This was a very large colony covering area about 5 ft by 2ft. So I used several baits and covered with plastic containers.

Tomorrow I will update.

A small spot treatment like this is likely more environmentally sound.

Yes, as I pointed out already in every post this is a very toxic chemical for bees.

[terracore]

quote:

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Originally posted by bystander

So all the time, effort, and money I put into making and using the Tango was just a waste? Actually I haven't noticed any decrease in the LFA population so it probably is true.

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That depends on who you ask. In my case, it was a waste. LFA have seasonal fluctuations when you seem to notice them more or less so its hard to judge the effectiveness of using a chemical that doesn't kill them.

[okedokey]

Well, I did the Tango treatment 6 months ago, and I haven't been bitten by LFA in the past 3 months. Maybe it didn't eliminate them, but I sure have noticed a big difference. I used to get bit everytime I worked in the "back 40". So now you say it may be seasonal differences. This is discouraging indeed.

[bystander]

While I said I haven't noticed any decrease in the LFA population I have noticed their bites don't sting as much where I applied the Tango. I figured this is because the ants are old since the Tango inhibits egg laying by the queens.

[rainyjim]

Several farmers I know use Avaunt insecticide

http://www.cdms.net/LDat/ld4BD013.pdf

[pbmaise]

I ckecked on the large colony today. Not an ant in sight. I perhaps over did it with three drops 5% Fipronil . I can't guarantee these fire ants are same as those in Hawaii.

If you overdose this insecticide it will not work. It is necessary for ants to live many hours after contact. During that time they spread it to entire colony.

Bees are our friends reminder. This is a very strong insecticide that is thought to be reason for beehive collapse. A single bee consuming this poison will transfer it to entire hive. It is imparative if you try this poison to make sure bees cannot reach it. Hence I covered with plastic jug weighed down by stones.

Edit: Added bee warning.

Note: I take one exception to bees are our friends. If carpenter bees are eating into your Ohia posts of your home, try a tiny amount at 0.05% at hole entrance.

I guess I should add that carpenter bees are termed robbers. Floral robbery occurs when the carpenter bee
makes perforations near the base of the tubular corolla of
the flower to obtain nectar, but does not pollinate the
flower in return.

"Half a bee, philosophically, must ipso facto half not be.
But half the bee has got to be, vis-à-vis
its entity - d'you see?
But can a bee be said to be or not to
be an entire bee when half the bee is not a bee,
due to some ancient injury?".

[dakine]

I can't guarantee these fire ants are same as those in Hawaii...

therein lies the rub