GREENSBORO, N.C. – Syngenta has introduced Optigard Fire Ant Bait, the latest addition to the Optigard family of products. This new product offers a powerful, dual mode-of-action formula with both a stomach insecticide and an insect growth regulator to provide long-lasting control of both workers and reproductive fire ants.

“This product rounds out the Optigard brand family, which includes Optigard Flex and Optigard Ant Gel Bait,” said Marc Hennen, marketing manager, Syngenta. “With its unmatched dual mode-of-action formulation, Optigard Fire Ant Bait provides pest management professionals with a reliable tool to battle these difficult pests.”

Optigard Fire Ant Bait is highly attractive to foraging ants and is readily taken into the mound and transferred to the queen, workers and ant larvae, Syngenta reports. The bait’s rapid mound reduction and brood decrease allow it to control a variety of fire ant species, including red imported fire ants and southern fire ants.

“We recommend that PMPs use Optigard Fire Ant Bait as part of a two-step program,” said Dr. Bob Cartwright, technical manager, Syngenta. “First, apply a uniform application of Optigard Fire Ant Bait over the target area without disrupting the mounds. Then, after about a week, apply individual mound treatments, such as a mound drench with Optigard Flex.”
 
Optigard Fire Ant Bait may be used as a mound or broadcast treatment and may be applied up to four times per year. The bait comes ready-to-use and is packaged in a two-pound jug with a shaker top. The product is formulated in a corn grit base with an oil attractant. The bait’s active ingredient, abamectin, is a slow-acting insecticide which allows foraging ants to transfer the bait throughout the colony and eventually to the queen.

For more information visit  www.syngentapmp.com.