EPA PRIA2 Grant Fact Sheet
2011 Grantee: University of California Riverside
IPM Strategies for Controlling Ants and Reducing Pesticide Run-off
Utilizing reduced chemical pesticides in urban ant control
Funding Awarded: $249,193
Overview
Pest Management Design/Urban Neighborhoods/Cost Management
The primary goal of this research project is to develop pest management strategies to control ants in urban
environments that reduce pesti ci de use and prevent pesticide runoff into urban waterways. The team will consist of
Pest Management Professionals (PMPs), university researchers and extension personnel, and local and state agencies.
The project will focus on the Argentine ant (Linepuhema humile), the ant species most common in Southern
California, generating an estimated 85 percent of service calls for pest management in San Diego. Argentine ants are
found in residential kitchens, restaurants, hospitals, offices, warehouses, and other buildings where they can find food
and water.
A modified chemical pest management approach will be compared against a conventional route for effectiveness,
pesticide runoff, and economic differences. This research aims to test and demonstrate ways to reduce the use of
pyrethroid sprays in private homes, and discover which pesticide formulations and applications methods are the most
effective and have the least runoff.
Objectives
Significantly reduce the use of pyrethroids
and fipronil from original practices in
treating private homes for Argentine ant
infestations
Discover which pesticide formulations and
application methods are most effective at
controlling ants while having the least
amount of runoff to the street
Form and interactive partnership with PMPs
to develop a successful business model that
is effective in treating ant infestations while
reducing the amount of pesticides used
Disseminate the techniques acquired
through meetings, brochures, trade
publications, a website, and a scientific
journal publication
Research
Two residential routes, one conventional and one IPM, will be tested. These routes will be
implemented by two separate extermination companies for a total of four trials, with 200
homes per trial. Data collected from each route will include: 1.) pests, present at the time of
service, 2.) the time spent servicing each route, 3.) frequency of applications, and 4.) the kinds
and amount of pesticides applied.
An Economic analysis will determine the cost and feasibility of implementing EPM.
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Knowledge Transfer
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A video will be produced to illustrate ways to treat and prevent ant home invasions and to
reduce pesticide runoff from the treatments used.
The Urban Pest Ant Management website (http: // group s .ucanr. or g/Urb an Ant/) will be
expanded to offer PMP's continuing education courses on IPM and educational materials
for the homeowner.
Training sessions will be conducted during year two at the Annual Urban Pest Conference
at UC Riverside, and one meeting will be conducted in San Jose to describe the IPM
strategies employed in this project.
Project results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and a trade publication.
The University Statewide IPM Program will produce a brochure describing the reduced-risk
strategies employed during this project and their implementation.
Extension personnel will present the findings at trade meetings that are periodically held by
organizations such as the Pest Control Operators of California and at courses for continuing
education units presented by the university and private businesses.
Desired Outcomes
Effective control of ants and other pests while reducing the amount of insecticide used
A business model for PMPs that includes reduced risk and IPM strategies. The project aims
to demonstrate that these companies can save money by using less pesticide while
maintaining efficacy of their treatments. Furthermore, companies will impress customers
that they are using the safest techniques with the least environmental impact.
Reduce the use of pyrethroids by 75% from original practices in treating private homes for
Argentine ant infestations
Reduce the use of fipronil by 50% from original practices in treating private homes for
Argentine ant infestations
Strengthen the partnership between the PMPs and UC Riverside, benefitting PMPs, the
environment, and the consumer
Implementation of IPM techniques by additional PMPs in response to the project
EPA's Environmental Stewardship Branch promotes environmental stewardship to protect human health and the environment through information
exchange, education and promotion, technical assistance, and grant opportunities. For more information, visit http ://www.epa.gov/pestwise/
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