Author
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Williams, David |
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Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Proceedings Publication Acceptance Date: 2/28/1996 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: In the year 2000, 40% of the world's people will be living in cities and more than 80% of the population growth during this time will occur in urban areas. The impact of household insects such as ants on humans in the urban environment will be even greater than it is today. There are more than 20 species of ants that will infest households in the United States and probably twice this number throughout the world. Ants can cause numerous problems in the urban environment. Their mere presence in peoples homes cause annoyance and undue stress and the possibility of contamination by spreading pathogens and diseases. Some can inflict painful stings that can be life-threatening to hypersensitive individuals, and some cause damage to wooden structures, roofs, and electrical equipment. Although the use of toxic baits is one of the best methods to control urban pest ants, there is still a need for developing new and more attractive bait formulations and biorational methods of control. Future issues and opportunities will be to develop baits that can work against multiple pest ant species in dwellings while at the same time developing species-specific ant baits for use against outdoor pest ants such as the imported fire ant. |
