Colleen from Philadelphia writes
How long will it take to eliminate all the buds/satellites of the colony? These ants are persistent!!
The Optigard product label specifically not to use Optigard for Pharaoh ants. This is likely because the colonies are so large that they can be hard to control with baits and the manufacturer did not want negative results associated with their product and also, Pharaoh ants can be a bit picky and will often ignore baits. Instead you may want to consider using a product such as Phantom Aerosol. Phantom comes with a straw attachment for precision applications and should be applied around baseboards, door frames, window frames and places where utilities (cables, pipes and wires) enter through the wall as these are the most likely places for the ants to enter/exit. Phantom is a non-repellent insecticide that has a delayed reaction which allows ants time to get back to the colony and spread the product. In essence, the ants will not be able to tell that the product is in place and they will pick it up on the fine hairs all over their body and inadvertently carry it back to the colony where over a course of a few days it will knock out the entire colony. Phantom works really well because you don't have to worry about whether the ants will all take the bait, they just need to walk over the treated areas.
Answer last updated on: 01/06/2013
