By Lisa Beirn, Ph.D., technical services manager for Syngenta

The turfgrass ant (Lasius neoniger) is a major nuisance pest on golf courses throughout the U.S. The mounds they create can dull mower blades, smother turf and disrupt ball roll.

Ants are social insects that work in interconnected burrows that can be 10-15 inches deep. A typical colony contains eggs and larval ants (called broods), thousands of workers and a queen. As the colony expands, ants excavate new chambers, and the material they bring to the surface forms mounds. With warm temperatures and adequate moisture, the number of mounds can increase significantly. The main nests, which contain the queen, are often not found on greens and tees. Rather, queens are often located in nests several feet away in approaches, collars, roughs or fairways.

Control options

Control of turfgrass ants has traditionally relied on a tank-mix of a pyrethroid like Scimitar^® GC insecticide with a neonicotinoid-containing insecticide like Acelepryn^® Xtra insecticide. This is a very effective strategy; however, ants can be a season-long problem that require additional treatments.

Syngenta has published a FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation for Advion^® Insect granular bait for controlling turfgrass ants on golf courses, providing golf course superintendents a new solution to manage turfgrass ants. The bait matrix contains the active ingredient indoxacarb and is designed to be highly attractive to ants for maximum consumption

To control turfgrass ants with Advion Insect granular bait:

• Apply 0.38-4.61 lbs. of product/1,000 ft.²
• Uniformly apply the bait around an individual mound, but avoid placing it on top of the mound
• Repeat applications after seven days, if needed
• Allow adequate time for ants to forage for the bait after application and before mowing or using irrigation for optimal control
• Be sure to check the Section 2(ee) recommendations for your state

Advion Insect granular bait is conveniently available in a 12-lb. bag and as a case of eight 1-lb. shaker bottles. The 1-lb. shaker bottle is ideal for treating individual mounds.

For more information, visit SyngentaPMP.com/AdvionIGB or contact your local Syngenta territory manager.

© 2024 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration status. Syngenta supports a FIFRA Section 2(ee) recommendation for Advion Insect granular bait for control of turfgrass ants (Lasius neoniger) on golf course turf. Please see the Section 2(ee) recommendation to confirm that the recommendation is applicable in your state. The Section 2(ee) recommendation for Advion Insect granular bait should be in the possession of the user at the time of application. Scimitar is a Restricted Use Pesticide. Acelepryn^®, Advion^®, Scimitar^® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.