June 6, 2009
Posted: June 06, 2009
Ants
Ants, common throughout Colorado, are easily distinguished from other insects by their narrow, pinched waists and elbowed or bent antennas. Most ants control insects and weeds and improve soils by building nests. Ants can be a problem when they forage for food during the warmer months. Carpenter and large black or red ants can damage buildings, and Pharaoh ants can move diseased organisms around, but most species of ants are just a nuisance. Field ants often nest near foundations and as spring arrives, workers search for food. The warmth inside the home draws ants and they search for sweets and morsels. As spring progresses, there are alternate foods outside so invasions are temporary. Another common ant is the pavement ant. This ant makes small soil mounds in sidewalks and driveway cracks.
Remove crumbs, grease, food and scraps to make baiting more effective. Since ants nest outdoors, residual insecticides including Bifenthrin, Carbaryl (Sevin), Esfenvalerate, or Permethrin sprayed around foundations will keep ants from coming indoors. Ants track insecticidal dusts into their colony. Destroying ant nests is a more permanent control.
Ant baits or traps are sold commercially. When using commercial type baits, check the active ingredients and try to get brands that use different chemicals. This will increase your chances of success, just in case some ants are immune to a particular product.
For ants attracted to grease, mix boric acid with foods such as peanut butter or pie dough. Use one tablespoon of boric acid to 10-20 tablespoons of food and place out of the way of pets and children. The notion that ants can be totally eliminated from a home area and surrounding landscape is not realistic.
Aphids
Aphids can be serious pests in Colorado. The small, pear-shaped insects vary in color from green to orange, red, brown or gray. These insects damage plants by sucking the plant juices. When abundant, aphids remove large quantities of sap, reducing the growth and vigor of the plant.
One can look for certain signs on a plant to verify the presence of aphids. Leaf curling, the presence of ants or the excretion of a sweet, honeydew-like substance may all be an indication of an aphid problem.
Ladybugs, green lacewings, syrphid flies and parasitic wasps are some of the aphids’ natural enemies and will help control them. Most plants will tolerate the use of insecticidal soaps. Test spray a small portion of the plant. Wait a few days and see if there is sensitivity to the foliage. If no symptoms appear then spray the entire foliage. High water pressure may also wash away aphids and remove sticky honeydew.
When aphids can’t be controlled by these natural methods, insecticides like acephate, bifenthrin, and imidacloprid are effective. Be sure to follow all label directions when using insecticides.
Source: Planttalk Colorado