Gray Ant Research in Table Grapes
Control of the Native Gray 'Field' Ant, Formica Aerata, in Table Grapes n Kern County
COLLABORATORS: Daniel Waldstein, BASF
Native gray ants are considered disruptive to mealybugs in table grapes. Growers wanting to achieve ant control have few options because most bait products are formulated for protein-feeding ants (like fire ants) whereas ants that tend mealybugs feed primarily on sugars. The purpose of this trial was to see if we could get protein-based ant baits to be effective against a sugar-feeding ant.
In 2013 and 2014 we found that none of the treatments provided a level of control that would justify their use commercially in table grapes, and that at best, some of the ant baits might have reduced the density of foraging ants for a few days (Click Here or see link below for for full report).
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Gray Ant Documents