Evaluation of Selected Insecticides for Imported Fire Ant Control, 1981

Abstract

Three insecticides were evaluated for effectiveness against field colonies of imported fire ant (IFA). Bendiocarb (Ficcam-W) was tested as a mound drench, 1,1,1-trichloroethane as a pour-on and resmethrin as an injected material. Trichloroethane was screened for effectivness using two rates which were poured in a hole made in the apex of the mound. A replicated (4) test using the two rates was established in grassland in 10.7-m-circular plots. All active mounds within the plot were identified and treated. Evaluation was made at 7, 30, and 60 days posttreatment. Following the 30-day observation, all mounds with active IFA were retreated with a second application using the original dosage rate. Bendiocarb was tested as a drench using 7.7-1 finished mixture. Eight rates were tested for effectiveness. The lowest effective rate was subsequently applied in a replicated (4) test utilizing 20 colonies per replicate. A similar number of colonies was treated with water as the control. Resmethrin was injected with a probe and pressure system which used freon and CO2. A rate test was used to determine the effectiveness of single and multiple injections. The lowest effective rate was used to establish a replicated (4) test utilizing 20 colonies per replicate. Control colonies were probed without application of the toxicant. In all tests a rating system was used for evaluation of the treatments (1, no mortality; 5, complete mortality).