Laboratory tests at the University of Florida Research and Education Center in Fort Lauderdale have shown baits to be the only effective management method to date for WFA control. No surface or residual treatments with liquid insecticides have yet been found to be effective for controlling these ants. Management has only been accomplished by treating infested homes exclusively with baits containing borates. It is critical that all populations of WFA on the property being treated are identified so that baits can be made available to each population. Since liquid baits tend to slowly dry out, it is important that fresh baits are always available until the target population has been controlled. Although bait toxicants may not be orally transferred between workers, they can still kill enough workers to cause death of brood by starvation. In addition, it is also thought that very slow acting bait toxicants may, with time, end up in the trophic eggs. Residual and systemic sprays to vegetation surrounding structures can also help by eliminating honeydew producing insects.

WFA trails meandering up the sides of houses can often be seen entering soffit vents that lead into attics. Because attics usually do not have food sources for ants, infestations can frequently be treated by placing liquid baits along trails on the exterior of the house. This will cause ants nesting in the attic to emerge to feed on the baits. Treating the attic with an insecticidal dust or spray might also be advisable in extreme infestations. Always follow label directions when using an insecticide.

Control

A key aspect of WFA control involves trimming trees and shrubs surrounding the structure to stop ants from "bridging" (trailing from the vegetation onto the structure). The best policy is to not have any vegetation touching exterior walls. Large trees infested with WFA which overhang the structure should also be trimmed back to stop "leaf nests" from falling onto roofs which can cause reinfestation of the building. Placing liquid baits at the base of these trees or along branches can also be helpful. It is critical that all populations of WFA on the property being treated are identified so that baits can be made available to each population. Since liquid baits tend to slowly dry out, it is important that fresh baits are always available until the target population has been controlled. Trails meandering up the sides of houses can often be seen entering soffit vents that lead into attics. Because attics usually do not have food sources for ants, infestations can frequently be treated by placing liquid baits along trails on the exterior of the house. This will cause ants nesting in the attic to emerge to feed on the baits. Treating the attic with an insecticidal dust or spray might also be advisable in extreme infestations. Ant trails coming from neighboring properties via adjoining vegetation, fences, or across lawns, must also be treated.

Vegetation favored by WFA in south Florida includes: nearly all palms, especially coconut, sable, or queen, most fruit trees, large ficus trees, gardenia, hibiscus, ixora, many plants having showy flowers with sweet nectars and most plants which are infested with aphids, scales, mealybugs or other sap-sucking insects. Management of white-footed ants - University of Florida