CHEMICALS
EQUIPMENT
Unlike other baits, Optigard® Ant Gel bait doesn’t have an unsightly yellowish-brown colour or an inconsistent, runny formulation. Optigard® Ant Gel bait is transparent at application and remains clear throughout the treatment cycle. It has little to no odour and won’t stain treated surfaces. Its thicker consistency helps it to hold its shape after application and resist degradation due to high temperatures.
Its active ingredient, thiamethoxam, is a second-generation neonicotinoid insecticide belonging to the thianicotinyl subclass. Thiamethoxam has demonstrated excellent activity against a broad range of economically important pests. Product containing thiamethoxam are used to control insect pests of crops, turf and ornamentals, as well as a broad spectrum of urban pests, including ants, termites, cockroaches, beetles and other nusiance insects.
Because of the unique properties of its active ingredient, thiamethoxam, Optigard® Ant Gel bait is readily transferred throughout the colony. Once ingested by forgaing workers, Optigard® Ant Gel bait doesn’t kill immediately; instead it is designed to take advantage of trophallaxis, or regurgitation. Ants that feed on the gel return to the nest and transfer the bait to their nest-mates, eliminating the entire colonly, including queens. Tests how that a reduction in workers will be apparent in two to three days, with complete colony elimination occurring within a week or more.
Optigard® Ant Gel bait has a non-repellent formula that has demonstrated excellent palatibility among a wide variety of ants. Studies show Optigard® Ant Gel bait retains its palatability for more than two full weeks after baiting, up to twice as long as other products.
Mode of Action:
Thiamethoxam targets the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the insect’s nervous system, resulting in the death of the ant. This mode of action is significantly different to that of other classes of insecticide commonly used for ant control. [e.g. boric acid formulations, pyrethroids, phenylpyrazoles (fiproni), pyrroles (chlofeanpyr),etc]
Application of Optigard® Ant Gel bait
- Use spot placements in the cracks and crevices where ants nest or forage and/or in areas of entry into structures
- Apply up to 1 gram of bait per spot
- This product can be applied using the syringe applicator or bait injector tools
- Broad spectrum control
- Non-repellent, non-staining and non-volatile
- Reduction of workers occurs within 2 to 3 days for most species
- Test data shows that complete colony control occurs within days to weeks of baiting
- Remains attractive even after aging for at least 2 weeks
- Retains gel integrity at high temperatures
- Safe to use in aircraft
