Evaluation of control measures for black carpenter ant (Hymenoptera : Formicidae)

Current control methods for the black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvani cus (De Geer), include the use of remedial and preventative residual sprays as well as toxic baits. We evaluated the acceptance of three baits (Maxfor ce, Niban, and Baygon) to field colonies of the black carpenter ant in the spring and fall. Maxforce bait granules were more readily accepted than eit her Niban or Baygon bait granules in the spring. A change in food preferenc e from protein to sugar by the black carpenter ant appeared to reduce the n umber of Maxforce bait granules removed in the fall, resulting in no differ ences in bait acceptability. The longevity of Dursban 50W and Tempo 20WP we re evaluated in the summer and fall on painted wood panels. Panels aged out side for 15 d under prevailing weather conditions exhibited increased LT50 values. For each sampling period, panels aged on the south face tin the sun ) exhibited less insecticidal activity (i.e., large LT50 values) than panel s on the north face (shaded; small LT50 values). At each sampling period, T empo 20WP provided smaller LT50 values than Dursban SDW. Because of changin g dietary preferences, our data highlight the importance of using various b ait types for carpenter ant control. Moreover, the application of residual spays should be made to locations protected from direct sunlight.