Integrated Pest Management in and around the Home

Ants are among the most prevalent pests Termite in households. Ants also invade restau- rants, hospitals, offices, warehouses, and Antenna Antenna other buildings where they can find food elbowed. not elbowed. and water. On outdoor and sometimes Broad waist. indoor plants, ants protect and care for Thin waist. honeydew-producing such as Wings (if present) , soft scales, whiteflies, and mealy- have few veins. Wings (if present) bugs, increasing damage from these Hind wings are have many small veins. pests. Ants also perform many useful smaller than Front and hind wings front wings. are same size. functions in the environment, such as feeding on other pests (e.g., fleas, cater- Figure 1. Distinguishing features of ants and termites. pillars, and termites), dead insects, and decomposing tissue from dead . IDENTIFICATION are immobile, wormlike, and don’t resemble adults. Ants, like many other Ants belong to the order Hymen­ There are more than 12,400 of hymenopterans such as bees and wasps, optera and are close relatives of bees ants throughout the world. In California, are social insects with duties divided and wasps. Ants are familiar insects there are about 270 species, but fewer among different types, or castes, of that are easily recognized, especially than a dozen are important pests (Table adults. Queens conduct the reproduc- 1). The most common ant in and around in their common wingless adult forms, known as workers. However, winged tive functions of a colony and are larger the house and garden in California is the than other ants; they lay eggs and some- Linepithema humile forms of ants, which leave the nest in , (for- times participate in feeding and groom- merly Iridomyrmex humilis). Other com- large numbers in warm weather to ing larvae. The sterile female workers mon ant pests include the Pharaoh ant mate and establish new colonies, are gather food, feed and care for larvae, (Monomorium pharaonis), odorous house often mistaken for winged termites, build tunnels, and defend the colony; ant ( sessile), thief ant (Solenopsis which also leave their nests to mate. these workers make up the bulk of the molesta), southern fire ant S.( xyloni), and Ants and termites can be distinguished colony. Males don’t participate in colony pavement ant (Tetramorium caespitum). from one another by three main char- activities; their sole purpose is to mate The velvety tree ants occiden- acteristics (Figure 1): with the queens. Workers feed and care tale and L. luctuosum nest in trees and are • The ant’s body is constricted, giv- for males, which are few in number. common outdoor species in landscapes. ing it the appearance of having a thin waist, while the termite has a For additional information about how Less common, but of great importance, broad waist. to identify different ant species, see is the red imported fire ant,S. invicta, • The ant’s hind wings are smaller the Key to Identifying Common Household which gained a foothold in Southern than its front wings, while the Ants at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ California in 1998. In some areas, compe- termite’s front and hind wings TOOLS/ANTKEY. tition from the Argentine ant has slowed are about the same size. However, the spread of the fire ant. Carpenter shortly after their flights, both ants LIFE CYCLE AND HABITS ants, Camponotus species, and velvety and termites lose their wings, so tree ants also invade buildings in Cali- wings usually aren’t present. Ants usually nest in soil; nest sites fornia. Although they don’t eat wood as • Winged female and worker ants vary with species but are often found termites do, they hollow it out to nest have elbowed antennae, while the next to buildings, along sidewalks, or and may cause considerable damage. For termites’ antennae aren’t elbowed. in close proximity to food sources more information about red imported such as trees or plants that harbor fire ants or carpenter ants, see Pest Notes: Ants undergo complete metamorpho- honeydew-producing insects. Ants also Carpenter Ants and Pest Notes: Red Im- sis, passing through egg, larval, pupal, construct nests under boards, stones, ported Fire Ant listed in References. and adult stages (Figure 2). Larvae tree stumps, or plants and sometimes

PEST NOTES Publication 7411

Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program October 2012 October 2012 Ants

Table 1. Identifying Features of Common Household Ants.1 Thorax Petiole nodes Effective management approaches vary with ant species. Use behavioral characteristics such as food and nesting preferences along with physical Head Abdomen characteristics to identify ants. A first step in identifying ants is to use a magnifier to determine if they have one or two nodes at the petiole, the first portion of the abdomen.

Node Nodes

One-node ant Two-node ant

Argentine ant Pavement ant (Linepithema humile) (Tetramorium caespitum) Food: sweets, sometimes Food: sweets, proteins, grease proteins Nest: in lawns or under stones Nest: outdoors in shallow or boards; builds mounds along mounds sidewalks and foundations or Physical description: 1/8 inch, near water dull brown J. K. Clark Physical description: 3/16 J. K. Clark inch, dark brown to black Pharaoh ant (Camponotus species) (Monomorium pharaonis) Food: sweets Food: fats, proteins, sweets Nest: in tree stumps, firewood, Nest: in wall or cabinet fence posts, hollow doors voids, behind baseboards or or window frames; deposits insulation, or outdoors in debris sawdustlike frass outside nests Physical description: 1/16 Physical description: large, J. K. Clark inch, yellow or honey-colored J. K. Clark workers vary from 1/4 to 1/2 inch, to orange black or bicolored red and black Odorous house ant Red imported fire ant (Tapinoma sessile) (Solenopsis invicta) Food: sweets, sometimes Food: sweets, proteins proteins Nest: in mounds with multiple Nest: in shallow mounds in soil openings in soil or lawns and or debris or indoors in wall voids sometimes in buildings behind or around water pipes or heaters wall voids Physical description: 1/8 inch, D.-H. Choe Physical description: workers J. K. Clark dark brown to shiny black, very vary from 1/16 to 1/5 inch, reddish strong odor when crushed with dark brown abdomen Velvety tree ant Southern fire ant (Liometopum occidentale) (Solenopsis xyloni) Food: sweets and insects Food: proteins and sweets Nest: in dead wood such as old Nest: in small mounds with tree limbs, stumps, and logs flattened, irregular craters in Physical description: wood or under rocks workers vary from 1/8 to 1/4 Physical description: workers 1 1 inch, brownish-black head, red D. Rosen vary from /8 to /4 inch, amber J. K. Clark thorax, velvety black abdomen, head and thorax, black abdomen, very distinct odor when crushed golden hairs cover body Thief ant (Solenopsis molesta) Food: greasy and fatty, some- times sweets. Steals food and ant larvae from other ant nests. Nest: outdoors in soil or under rocks or decaying wood, indoors behind wallboards or baseboards J. K. Clark Physical description: 1/32 inch, yellow to light brown 1 See the Key to Identifying Common Household Ants at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY for more information and line drawings on identifying species.

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under buildings or other protected places. The primary ant that nests indoors in California is the Pharaoh adult worker ant. In temperate climates, this species (all females) nests in warm, moist locations such as inside wall voids, under flooring, or near hot water pipes or heating systems, adult but is also found nesting outdoors in queen warmer parts of California. See Table 1 for nesting sites of other species. Food preferences vary among ant species but may include fruits, seeds, nuts, fatty substances, dead or live insects, dead animals, and sweets.

Ants often enter buildings seeking food and water, warmth and shelter, or refuge from dry, hot weather or flooded conditions. They may appear pupa suddenly in buildings if other food eggs sources become unavailable or weather conditions change.

Although there is some variation among larva species, a single newly mated queen typically establishes a new colony. After Figure 2. Life cycle of the Argentine ant. weeks or months of confinement under- ground, she lays her first eggs. After the eggs hatch, she feeds the white, legless larvae with her own metabolized wing muscles and fat bodies until the larvae pupate. Several weeks later, the pupae transform into sterile female adult workers, and the first workers dig their way out of the nest to collect food for themselves, the queen (who continues to lay eggs), and subsequent broods of larvae. As numbers increase, workers Figure 3. Argentine ants tending aphids Figure 4. Velvety tree ants. add new chambers and galleries to the on ceanothus. nest. After a few years, the colony be- gins to produce winged male and fe- Ants can bite with their pincerlike jaws, male ants, which leave the nest to mate DAMAGE although most species rarely do. How- and form new colonies. Inside buildings, household ants feed ever, the velvety tree ant (Figure 4) is on , syrup, honey, fruit juice, fats, Argentine ants differ from most other and meat. Long trails of thousands an aggressive biter. A few ants sting, ant species in California in that their of ants may lead from nests to food including native fire ants and harvester nests are often shallow, extending just sources, causing considerable concern ants, which are primarily outdoor spe- below the soil surface. However, under among building occupants. Outdoors cies and are the most common stinging dry conditions they will nest deeper ants are attracted to honeydew that ants in California. An aggressive sting- in the soil. In addition, Argentine ant soft scales, mealybugs, and aphids pro- ing ant, the red imported fire ant has colonies aren’t separate but linked to duce. This liquid excrement contains been found in various Southern Cali- form one large “supercolony” with and other nutrients. Frequently fornia counties. If you suspect a fire multiple queens. When newly mated outbreaks of scales and aphids occur ant infestation, report it to your county queens disperse to found new colonies, when ants tend them for honeydew, agricultural commissioner. For more they are accompanied by workers rath- because the ants protect scales and information about red imported fire er than going out on their own as most aphids from their natural enemies ants, see Pest Notes: Red Imported Fire other species do. (Figure 3). Ant listed in References.

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MANAGEMENT structure to their destination, so look for entry points in these locations. Prior Ant management requires diligent to caulking, some pest management efforts and the combined use of me- professionals may apply products con- chanical, cultural, sanitation, and often taining silica aerogel (sometimes com- chemical control methods. It is unrealis- bined with pyrethrins in professional tic and impractical to attempt to totally products such as EverGreen Pyrethrum eliminate ants from an outdoor area. Dust) into wall voids before sealing Focus your management efforts on ex- them up. cluding ants from buildings or valuable plants and eliminating their food and Indoors, eliminate cracks and crevices Figure 5. Caulking ant entryways is a water sources. Reducing outdoor sourc- wherever possible, especially in kitch- key element of an ant IPM program. es of ants near buildings will reduce the ens and other food-preparation and likelihood of ants coming indoors. storage areas. Store attractive food items such as sugar, syrup, honey, and pet Remember that ants often play a benefi- WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE food in closed containers that have been cial role in the garden. Become aware AN ANT EMERGENCY washed to remove residues from outer of the seasonal cycle of ants in your surfaces. Rinse out empty soft drink • Determine what the ants are attracted area and be prepared for annual inva- containers or remove them from the to and remove the food source. sions by caulking and baiting before building. Thoroughly clean up grease • Vacuum trails, wipe them with soapy the influx. Different species of ants water, or spray with window cleaner. and spills. Remove garbage from build- respond to management practices dif- • Locate entry points then caulk ings daily and change liners frequently. ferently. For management information openings or plug with petroleum jelly. • Put out bait stations or apply gel bait specific to a particular species, see the Look for indoor nesting sites, such as at entry points. Key to Identifying Common Household potted plants. If ants are found in potted • Baits take time to work, so continue Ants at http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ plants, remove the containers from the to clean up trails. TOOLS/ANTKEY. For videos related • Indoor sprays aren’t usually necessary. building, then place the pots for 20 or to ant management in the home, go to more minutes in a solution of insecticidal http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ants. soap and water at a rate of 1 to 2 table- spoons of insecticidal soap per quart of branches to keep them from touching Monitoring and Inspecting water. Submerge so the surface of the soil structures or plants so that ants are Regularly inspecting your home for is just covered by the water-soap solution. forced to try to climb up the trunk to ants or ant entry points is an important reach the foliage. part of an IPM program. Monitor for Outdoor ant nests may be associated ants near attractive food sources or with plants that support large popula- When using Tanglefoot on young or moist areas. Ants may invade kitchens, tions of honeydew-producing insects sensitive trees, protect them from pos- bathrooms, offices, or bedrooms. In- such as aphids, soft scales, mealybugs, sible injury by wrapping the trunk with spect under sinks, in cupboards, and or whiteflies. Avoid planting such trees a collar of heavy paper, duct tape, or along pipes and electrical wires. Look and shrubs next to buildings, or man- fabric tree wrap and coating this with for large trails of ants or for just a few age honeydew-producing insects. Keep the sticky material. Check the coating stragglers. Straggling ants are scouts plants, grass, and mulch several inches every one or two weeks and stir it with randomly searching for food or nest- away from the foundation of buildings, a stick to prevent the material from get- ing sites. When you spot ant trails, try because these items provide nesting sites ting clogged with debris and dead ants, to follow the ants to where they are for ants. Fix leaky faucets and sprinkler which will allow ants to cross. Ant stakes entering the building and to the nest if heads; these attract thirsty ants. with bait can also be used around trees. possible. Look indoors and outdoors for holes or cracks in foundations or walls Trees and Shrubs Baits that provide entry points to buildings. When numerous ants are found on Ant baits contain insecticides mixed plants, they are probably attracted to with materials that attract worker ants Exclusion and Sanitation the sweet honeydew deposited on the looking for food. Baits are a key tool To keep ants out of buildings, caulk plants by honeydew-producing insects for managing ants and the only type cracks and crevices around founda- such as aphids or soft scales. Ants may of insecticide recommended in most tions and other sites that provide entry also be attracted up into trees or shrubs situations. Ants are attracted to the bait from outside (Figure 5). Ants prefer to by floral nectar or ripening or rotten and recruit other workers to it. Workers make trails along structural elements, sweet fruit. These ants can be kept out carry small portions of the bait back to such as wires and pipes, and frequently by banding tree trunks with sticky the nest where it is transferred mouth use them to enter and travel within a substances such as Tanglefoot. Trim to mouth to other workers, larvae, and

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queens to kill the entire colony. Bait Table 2. Common Ant Bait Products.1 products must be slow-acting so that the Active Example product names Formulation: application/bait foraging ants have time to make their ingredient way back to the nest and feed other avermectin B Enforcer AntMax Bait Stations solid: bait station/protein members of the colony before they are (abamectin) Raid Ant Baits III solid: bait station/protein killed. When properly used, baits are more effective and safer than sprays. Drax SF Ant Gel3 gel: cracks/sugar Grants Kills Ants Liquid Ant Bait liquid: bait station/sugar borate-based Terro Ant Killer II Liquid Ant Baits liquid: bait containers/sugar Baits are available in several different products2 forms. For residential users, the most Gourmet Liquid Ant Bait liquid: refillable dispensers/ sucrose solution readily available forms are solids or liquids that are prepackaged into ant Combat Ant Killing Gel gel: cracks/protein stakes or small plastic bait station con- fipronil Combat Quick Kill Formula 3 solid: bait discs/protein tainers. These products are easy to use Maxforce FC Ant Killer Bait Gel3 gel: cracks/sugar and are quite safe if kept away from Combat Source Kill solid: bait discs/protein children and pets. Some products dry hydramethylnon up rapidly and must be frequently Amdro Kills Ants Killing Bait dry: ant stake bait stations/protein replaced to manage a large population. 1 Effectiveness varies according to ant species and product A few boric acid products are liquids 2 Borate products may include the following active ingredients: borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate), disodium octaborate tetrahydrate, or orthoboric acid. that are poured into refillable contain- 3 May be available for professional use only. ers or applied as drops on cards.

Reusable bait stations or dispensers are at different times of the year. In the To improve bait effectiveness, be sure more useful than prepackaged baits case of Argentine ants, sweet baits are to remove any particles of food, resi- for difficult ant problems. Reusable attractive year-round. Protein baits are dues of sweet liquids, or other attrac- stations can be opened, checked, and attractive to Argentine ants primar- tive material from cracks around sinks, refilled as needed. This is particularly ily in the spring. However, other ant pantries, and other ant-infested areas. important for liquid baits, which may species such as thief ants and Pharaoh For the most effective and economical be rapidly consumed or dry out. Some ants prefer protein or greasy baits year- control, use baits only when there is an stations have removable cups that can round. Fire ants prefer baits containing ant problem. Treatments made in late be filled with two or more types of oils. See Table 1 for information on food winter and early spring when ant pop- baits to offer ants a choice. Bait stations preferences. Offering a small quantity ulations are just beginning to grow will protect baits from photodegradation of each kind of bait and observing be most effective. Ant preferences can and disturbance by children. Some which one the ants prefer is a good way change throughout the year; to increase types of bait stations can be perma- to determine what to use. your success rate, set out different for- nently installed into the ground or mulations of various bait products in attached to outside walls or pavement Look for the active ingredient listed a single baiting station, giving ants a in areas around schools or other build- on the label of bait products. Some choice. Don’t use any insecticide sprays ings where ants are a frequent problem. examples of active ingredients include while you are using baits, and check The bait stations may be hidden in hydramethylnon, fipronil, boric acid and refresh bait stations regularly. Baits mulch so they aren’t immediately vis- (borate or various forms of sodium can dry up or become rancid and unat- ible to children or pets. borate), and avermectin B (abamectin). tractive over time. Table 2 lists some common ant bait Gel formulations of pesticide baits products organized by active ingredi- Use baits primarily outdoors. Use in- are packaged in small tubes. They are ent. Bait products are constantly being doors only if there is a serious infesta- applied in small cracks and crevices improved. Look for new active ingre- tion and you can’t find the spot where where ants are entering. Gel products dients and improvements to current ants are entering the building: other- are now available to home users as well products. Avoid products packaged wise you could attract ants indoors. as professionals and can be a useful as granules that contain the active Outdoor baits draw ants out of build- tool in an IPM program. ingredients cyfluthrin or permethrin. ings. Place bait stations where ants Although these products may be mis- can easily find them, but avoid placing Ant baits contain carbohydrates (e.g., taken for baits, they are actually contact them in areas that are accessible to pets sugars), proteins, oils, or a combina- insecticides that rapidly kill foragers and small children. Place baits near tion of these as attractants along with and don’t control the colony. Likewise, nests, on ant trails beneath plants, or an active ingredient (toxicant). Dif- bait stations with propoxur or indoxa- along edges where ants travel. Space ferent attractants are more effective carb aren’t very effective, because the them every 10 to 20 feet outside around against different species of ants and active ingredient is too fast-acting. the foundation and at nest openings,

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if they can be found. Effectiveness of be as effective as an insecticide spray in baits will vary with ant species, bait temporarily removing foraging ants in material, and availability of alterna- a building. Soapy water removes the tive food. To achieve wide distribution ant’s scent trail, especially if thorough of the bait so the entire colony will be cleaning is done at the entry points. killed, the bait toxicant must be slow- Some soap products such as window acting. Control with baits isn’t imme- cleaners can kill ants on contact but diate and may take several weeks or leave no residual toxicity. Certain plant- more to be complete. based oils (e.g., peppermint, rosemary, clove, orange, and thyme) are formu- Figure 6. Place bait stations or dispens- Refillable Bait Stations for Argentine lated in pesticide-type products to be Ant Management. Currently the most ers, such as this KM AntPro dispenser, applied for this purpose, although as outside the house in shady areas where effective baits available to consumers food-based products they aren’t re- ant trails are seen. for Argentine ants are the borate-based quired to be registered as pesticides. baits. Prepackaged bait stations usually These types of products typically pro- contain 5.4% borate. They can be effec- vide excellent contact activity but have it-yourself ant management outdoors. tive at killing foragers in the home but limited residual activity against ants. Combined with the exclusion and sani- are less effective at managing major tation practices discussed above, this infestations, because foragers are killed Outdoor Insecticide Treatments approach should manage most home before they can bring the bait back to ant invasions. If a problem persists, the the colony. A common practice used to prevent ants from coming indoors is to apply a best option is to hire a pest manage- ment professional trained in IPM or Liquid borate products with a lower perimeter treatment of residual sprays IPM-certified by a reputable organiza- percentage of active ingredient (0.5 to around the foundation. Commonly tion. These professionals have access 1.0% concentration in a sugar-water used insecticides include the pyre- to more effective materials (such as solution) will have more impact on the throids bifenthrin, cypermethrin, and fipronil) and application equipment colony, although it may take several lambda-cyhalothrin. All are available in that can prevent contamination of the days to a week to see results and they retail products, but products available environment. For more tips on hiring a need to be used in larger, refillable bait to professionals provide longer residual stations. Products with the lower con- control than home-use products. professional, see Pest Notes: Hiring a Pest centration of borates (e.g., Gourmet Liq- Control Company listed in References. uid Ant Bait) are registered for home Spraying around the foundation won’t use but are difficult to find in stores provide permanent control, because it REFERENCES and may have to be ordered online. kills only foraging ants without killing Greenberg, L., J. H. Klotz, and J. N. the colony and the queens. Typically Kabashima. Aug. 2007. Pest Notes: Red Several refillable bait stations are avail- the foragers represent only a small Imported Fire Ant. Oakland: Univ. Calif. able including the Ant Café, Antopia, proportion of the colony. On occasion, Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 7487. Also avail- Ant-No-More, and KM AntPro. Univer- barrier sprays make the situation worse able online, http://www.ipm.ucdavis. sity of California research with the KM by trapping ants indoors. Perimeter edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7487.html. AntPro dispenser has shown that it can treatments may appear to knock down be effective when properly installed the population, but ants will quickly Klotz, J. H., L. Hansen, H. Field, M. K. and maintained outside the home (Fig- build back up and invade again. Rust, D. Oi, and K. Kupfer. 2010. Urban ure 6). Usually at least one dispenser is Pest Management of Ants in California. installed around each side of a house To try to achieve long-term control, Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res. and placed in shady areas where ants some pest control companies offer Publ. 3524. trail. Stations must be checked regu- every-other-month perimeter spray larly and refilled as necessary. For more programs. Perimeter treatments pose Klotz, J. H., L. Hansen, R. Pospischil, information about installation and more risk of environmental upset than and M. K. Rust. 2008. Urban Ants of maintenance, see the video on refillable baits in bait stations and are less effec- North America and Europe: identification, bait stations at http://www.ipm.ucdavis. tive than a bait-based IPM program. biology, and management. Ithaca, N.Y.: edu/PMG/menu.ants.html. Because of water quality concerns, the Cornell Press. California Department of Pesticide Indoor Insecticide Treatments Regulation has recently adopted regu- Klotz, J. H., M. K. Rust, and L. D. Han- If ants can be thoroughly washed away lations limiting the use of perimeter sen. Aug. 2009. Pest Notes: Carpenter and excluded from an area, indoor treatments with pyrethroid insecticides. Ants. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. insecticide sprays aren’t necessary. Res. Publ. 7416. Also available online, Vacuuming up ant trails or sponging or Baits in refillable bait stations provide http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/ mopping them with soapy water may the safest effective treatment for do- PESTNOTES/pn7416.html.

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Mallis, A. 2011. Handbook of Pest Control. 10th ed. Richfield, Ohio: GIE Media Inc.

Reynolds, C. A., M. L. Flint, M. K. Rust, P. S. Ward, R. L. Coviello, and J. H. Klotz. 2001. Key to Identifying Common House- hold Ants. UC Statewide IPM Program. Also available online at http://www.ipm. ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/ANTKEY/.

Wilen, C. A., D. L. Haver, M. L. Flint, P. M. Geisel, and C. L. Unruh. March 2006. Pest Notes: Hiring a Pest Control Company. Oakland: Univ. Calif. Agric. Nat. Res. Publ. 74125. Also available online, http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74125.html. v

AUTHORS: M. K. Rust, Entomology, UC University of California scientists and other Riverside; and D.-H. Choe, Entomology, UC qualified professionals have anonymously peer reviewed this publication for technical accuracy. The Riverside. ANR Associate Editor for Urban Pest Management managed this review process. TECHNICAL EDITOR: M. L. Flint To simplify information, trade names of products have been used. No endorsement of named products EDITOR: M. L. Fayard is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products that are not mentioned. This material is partially based upon work ILLUSTRATIONS: Fig. 1, adapted from supported by the Extension Service, U.S. Department Termites and Other Wood-Infesting Insects of Agriculture, under special project Section 3(d), (2532); Fig. 2, V. Winemiller; Figs. 3 and 5, Integrated Pest Management. J. K. Clark; Fig. 4, D.-H. Choe; and Fig. 6, C. A. Reynolds. Produced by UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program University of California, Davis, CA 95616 This and other Pest Notes are available at www.ipm.ucdavis.edu.

For more information, contact the University of California Cooperative Extension office in your county. See your telephone directory for addresses and phone numbers, or visit http://ucanr.org/ce.cfm.

WARNING ON THE USE OF CHEMICALS Pesticides are poisonous. Always read and carefully follow all precautions and safety recommendations given on the container label. Store all chemicals in the original, labeled containers in a locked cabinet or shed, away from food or feeds, and out of the reach of children, unauthorized persons, pets, and livestock. Pesticides applied in your home and landscape can move and contaminate creeks, rivers, and oceans. Confine chemicals to the property being treated. Avoid drift onto neighboring properties, especially gardens containing fruits or vegetables ready to be picked. Do not place containers containing pesticide in the trash or pour pesticides down the sink or toilet. Either use the pesticide according to the label, or take unwanted pesticides to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection site. Contact your county agricultural commissioner for additional information on safe container disposal and for the location of the Household Hazardous Waste Collection site nearest you. Dispose of empty containers by following label directions. Never reuse or burn the containers or dispose of them in such a manner that they may contaminate water supplies or natural waterways.

ANR NONDISCRIMINATION AND AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICY STATEMENT The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities. The complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.org/sites/anrstaff/ files/107734.doc. Inquiries regarding the university’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to Linda Marie Manton, Affirmative Action Contact, University of California, Davis, Agriculture and Natural Resources, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, (530) 752-0495.

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