Part 9 (Chapter 10) Introduction to Urban and Industrial Integrated Pest Management

Ants are known to use a number of chemical [a] to communicate between individuals within the same colony. These may be [b], [c], or [d]pheromones.

Fire ants are active and aggressive, and may kill young wildlife, or produce sores or nausea in humans. Four species are commonly found as pests in the US: the [a] ant, the [b] ant, the [c]ant, and the [d] ant.

Ant colonies include the following members: workers, one or more [a], eggs, larvae, and [b].

The galleries of [a] ants, excavated in wood, often resemble the work of [b], but are distinguished by their entirely clean and sandpapered appearance.

Odors can sometimes be an important guide for identification of certain ants. The [a] which is a common indoor species, gives off a very unpleasant odor when crushed, but the [b] ant, which may swarm around foundations early in the spring and be mistaken for termites, smells like oil of citronella when crushed.

Wasps differs from bees in that most wasps feed their young [a] or [b] and not pollen.

Winged forms of ants, called [a] or [b], leave the nest at suitable times to mate.

Foraging ants bring food or water back to the colony and pass it to other nest-tending workers by a mouth-to-mouth process called trophallaxis. For this reason, ant baits that include a [a] and [b] toxicant are useful.

Attempts to control [a] ants with spray or dust applications indoors will cause the colony to split into sub-colonies; this process is called [b]. Thus, this species is difficult to control.

The [a] wasps discussed in the chapter belong to the family [b], and include the paper wasps, [c], and [d].

The smallest of the common Vespid wasps are [a]. The location most species typically build their nests is [b].

Control of ground-nesting yellowjacket nests can often be done safely during the [a], but will generally create fewer safety concerns when the job is scheduled at [b].

Ants that are likely to nest indoors include the

a.)harvester ant

b.)thief ant

c.)odorous house ants

d.)crazy ant

Ants that have a food preference for proteins are

a.)Carpenter ants

b.)Ghost ants

c.)Fire ants

d.)Pharaoh ants

Baits may be useful in ant control programs. The professional should

a.)apply repellent insecticides in the same area baits are used

b.)place baits along ant foraging trails

c.)store baits with other pesticides or volatile chemicals

d.)have other food sources removed

The Asian Needle ant

a.)is native to East Asia

b.)have small colony sizes

c.)do not sting

d.)have workers at about 1/10 to 1/8 in.

Control of hornets and yellowjackets should be attempted during nighttime hours because

a.)there is less chance of damaging plants

b.)most professionals prefer working at night

c.)these insects aggressively defend their nests during the daytime

d.)the whole colony is in the nest

Ants may affect us adversely by:
a.)contaminating food

b.)stinging and biting

c.)nesting in structual cavities

d.)consuming (eating and digesting) wood

The successful management of ants often requires an exact identification of the species involved because

a.)ants have a wide variety of feeding habits

b.)ants are resistant to most insecticides

c.)professionals need to know where to search for the nest

d.)ants are smarter than other insects

The reason the success rate for starting new ant colonies is low is

a.)predation

b.)competition within species

c.)environmental extremes

d.)ants do not start new colonies

Wasps and bees

a.)are generally beneficial insects

b.)may produce venom which can cause severe allergic reactions

c.)both produce honey

d.)both have hairy bodies

The following characteristics are associated with ants

a.)equal-sized front and hind wings

b.)broad waists

c.)elbowed antennae

d.)pedicel

Name two (2) problems that may arise following control of honey bee colonies in wall voids.

Provide 3 guidelines for green pest management options for outdoor infestations of ants

List five (5) things to look for (not places to look!) when inspecting for carpenter ant nests indoors.