Picky Ants in West Long Branch, NJ Commercial Facility

Recently, while performing a routine servicing for one of our commercial customers in West Long Branch, NJ, I observed a large number of trailing ants outside the structure. I always conduct a thorough exterior perimeter inspection. Outside pests often find their way inside through small gaps and cracks in the foundation, doorways, and windows. I was on high alert this time of year when ants and other pests are at their peak because of heat and moisture. Also, I’ve been servicing this account for some time and, in the past, there had been ant issues. One reason ants can be a problem here here are the sodas and juices sold inside. Because of their high sugar content,d these attractants have drawn in these pests. I have had great success helping this customer keep the ant population of the interior under control with effective sprays and gel baits.

Today, I was concerned about these ants that I had observed outside. I wanted to take care of the problem now before the ants were able to find their way inside. I wanted a product with a quick population knockdown that would effectively eliminate the colony and decided to apply an ant gel bait in the area of the trailing ants. Often, with its sweet, sugary base, ants can’t resist it. But one thing that I learned early on as a pest control technician is that no pest control product works 100% of the time. Here, the ants had absolutely no interest in the gel bait. They passed right by it without even stopping. This was not a surprise to me. I had seen this reaction before. Depending on the time of year, the needs of the colony change and so does the foraging behavior of the ants. Since the ants weren’t interested in sugars, I switched to a protein-based granular bait. Sure enough, as soon as I applied it, the ants pounced on it. The workers will bring the bait back to the nest where it will be distributed to feed the colony. The ant population will be immediately knocked down — before they have a chance to invade the interior structure and affect the customer’s business.