Aerial Applications of Ac-217,300 (American Cyanamid Company) Baits for Control of Red Imported Fire Ants, 1979

Abstract

Aerial applications of baits containing AC-217,300 against natural infestations of the red imported fire ant were conducted in GA and FL during Aug. The treatments were made alone the shoulders and median strips of 2 highways. The chemical was formulated in soybean oil and applied on 4 carriers; pre-gel defatted corn grits, pre-gel degermed corn grits, puffed (extruded) corn and corncob grits (12/30 mesh). The concentration of AC-217,300 was 0.75% on all the carriers except corncob grits (0.375%). Corncob grits contaned 15% soybean oil and all other carriers 30%. The applications were made using a gravity flow hopper and tube system mounted on a Bell 47 helicopter flying at 75 ft altitude and 75 mph with a swath width of 70 ft. The pre-gel defatted and degermed corn grit carriers were applied at 3 rates; 0.75, 1.5, and 2.25 lb/acre. The puffed corn was applied at 0.75 lb/acre while the corncob grits were applied at 2.5 lb/acre.