Disruption of foraging by argentine ants,Iridomyrmex humilis (mayr) (hymenoptera: Formicidae), in citrus trees through the use of semiochemicals and related chemicals.

Foraging in trees by the Argentine ant,Iridomyrmex humilis (Mayr), was disrupted by a variety of synthetic chemicals, with the most effective chemical being farnesol. Testing of substrates for presentation of the disruptant chemicals gave some success with rubber or Tygon tubing, although best results were obtained through incorporation of the material into Stikem, which was then banded around tree trunks. Amounts of farnesol used for effective, long residual ant control were between 0.8 and 2 g per tree.