Fire Ant Control That Works
And they said it was never gonna rain again, were they wrong! Now I know that we still need much more and I hope and pray that we get it and soon! As you are probably aware, one of the negative side affects of the rain is the sudden emergence of fire ant mounds popping up all over the area making some yards and lawns almost uninhabitable and a definite danger to children and pets.
A treatment that is gaining popularity is what is called soil treatment or broadcast applications of chemicals that bind with the soil to affect any ant that moves soil such as the fire ant. There are several over the counter products on the market with some marked success but none for an extended period of time. There is an answer to this problem that has a proven track record and it is called TopChoice from Bayer Environmental Sciences.
TopChoice is a granular insecticide that provides unsurpassed control of fire ants. Available only through licensed lawn care or pest control professionals, TopChoice offers several important advantages:
Apply any time of year. TopChoice works all year long. Fire ants are most active when the temperature is cool and when the ground is moist. In hot, dry weather, deeply embedded ants are not as apt to crawl over or through the insecticide granules. However, applications made to turf under these conditions will be “warehoused” until the ants begin to actively build mounds and forage on the surface. And irrigation or rainfall will bring ants to the surface where they will come into contact with the active ingredient.
Long residual effect. TopChoice kills existing colonies of fire ants and prevents new colonies from establishing for up to one year. After its initial release into the soil profile, TopChoice binds tightly to the soil creating a lasting barrier, one that’s not affected by heavy rainfall. Because it acts gradually, TopChoice kills foraging workers, but not before they carry the insecticide back to the colony and spread it to the queens and other ants.
Unique mode of action. Fipronil (the active ingredient in TopChoice) acts at the GABA receptors of insects, “switching off” nerve impulses and causing severe disruption of the insect’s nervous system.
Controls secondary pests. Besides providing effective control of fire ants for one year, TopChoice also controls mole crickets for four months, nuisance ants for three months, and fleas and ticks for one month.
High safety profile. TopChoice is selectively toxic to insects, and optimum control is achieved with extremely low dose rates. Because of its selective effects, there are no concerns about family or pets when TopChoice is applied by a professional.
Hitman Pest Control locally owned & operated in the Spring Branch & San Antonio area. Michael Holt has lived in Spring Branch for over 22 years and runs the Comal County office, and Tom Powers who operates the Bexar County division. Tom has been a Certified Applicator for over 15 years, Mike for over 4. They are licensed in: General Pest, Termite, and Lawn & Ornamental.
By Michael Holt
