Toxicity and repellency of borate-sucrose water baits to Argentine ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

J Econ Entomol. 2000 Aug;93(4):1256-8. doi: 10.1603/0022-0493-93.4.1256.

Abstract

The oral toxicity of boron compounds to the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr), was evaluated in laboratory tests. The ants were provided 25% sucrose water containing 0.5 and 1% boric acid, disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, and borax. Lethal times of these solutions were a function of the concentration of boron. In field tests, the ants showed no discrimination between disodium octaborate tetrahydrate and boric acid. There was a significant reduction in consumption of sucrose water with > 1% boric acid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ants*
  • Borates*
  • Boric Acids*
  • Carbohydrates
  • Insect Control* / methods
  • Insecticides*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Borates
  • Boric Acids
  • Carbohydrates
  • Insecticides
  • borax
  • boric acid
  • disodium octaborate tetrahydrate