Control of Tramp Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) With Methoprene Baits

摘要

Ants are eusocial insects with worldwide distribution which can nest in different environments. Brazil has a high diversity of ants, of which many species live in urban environments, closely related to man, the so-called tramp ants. Some of these species are considered pests because of the damage that they may cause in electronic appliances, their stings and also for their ability of transferring pathogens to food and in hospital environments. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of methoprene baits to control tramp ants present in a research Institution in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, A survey of non-toxic baits revealed the presence of four ant species distributed in six floors of the building: Tapinoma melanocephalum, Monomorium floricola, Paratrechina fulva and Brachymyrmex sp. After 18 weeks of treatment with methoprene baits, all species were adequately controlled.