Many university studies show that baiting is the preferred method of ant control. A good many pest professionals still believe that baits don't work, and in some cases that opinion is correct. The demand upon the colony controls the foraging habits of the ants, and in some instances the food gathering demands can be overshadowed by other needs. For instance, when the colony is just starting out the majority of ants will be assigned the nest building tasks, despite the fact that you may see a trail of ants in your inspection area.
Placing baits during the nest building stage may result in absolutely no interest, or at best, only a few of the trailing ants will stop to investigate and collect the bait. In these circumstances, it would be unlikely to witness a trail of ants stopped in their tracks to gorge on the bait. The uninitiated, not versed in the foraging habits of ants may then proclaim that ant baits do not work.
Ants may also be disinterested in baits when relocating their nesting site. Many ants go through a “budding” process of relocating or dividing off the nest. This can be for many reasons including overcrowding and dwindling food sources.
In this instance you will see ants carrying eggs, larva or even pupa stages.
The reason for this “budding” needs to be investigated and notes made as to where they are coming from, and to where they are heading.
Ants trailing into a structure may be relocating their nest into an area of improved moisture, or may be evacuating from an area that has become too damp. Either way, the fact that they are relocating into a structure needs to be investigated further. This may lead to a significant increase in ant activity inside the building.

When budding takes place, some ants will be delegated the task of prospecting for food to feed the larvae
Introducing bait during the budding process should achieve good results, although “gorging” of the bait may still be less than anticipated. Some pest controllers see this as justification to “nuke” the trailing ants by spraying pesticides directly onto the ants and the area they are trailing into. This will result in massive casualties but it may also result in the ants being locked into the structure and creating a major infestation inside. Many times ants may relocate, or even casually nest under cladding and inside the wall cavities without becoming a major infestation or nuisance inside the structure. They will happily nest in the wall cavities while continuing to forage on the outside for their needs.
Applying pesticides indiscriminately around the exterior can cause an increase in ant activity indoors.

How many times have you heard?
”I never had an ant problem before I called the pest controller!!”
In most cases, the exterior has been treated for some other pest, and the application of insecticide has isolated a colony that while living in the wall cavity, was foraging outdoors for food. Now, with little or no other choice, the foraging ants are forced to forage indoors. Usually a thorough inspection prior to any treatment can prevent this from occurring.
Bait acceptance is also dependent on various other circumstances. Protein demands increase drastically when the colony is producing brood. Supply of only sweet or greasy baits may result in mixed success at this time. The ants will still forage for sweets however the demands of the colony will now be predominantly protein focussed. Failure to provide protein based baits at this time will see the ants looking elsewhere, most likely indoors.
The importance of supplying several varieties of bait at this time is paramount, and of equal importance is to remove all other competing food sources wherever possible. Removing uneaten pet food, bagging of trash, dealing with domestic pet droppings and maintaining an extremely high level of sanitation etc. will assist in keeping competing food sources to a minimum.

When all other areas have been addressed, it is then exceptionally important to maintain sufficient amounts of baits. Follow up is extremely important.
Bait stations should be inspected weekly after placement.

Empty stations need to be refilled, or additionally increase the amount of bait stations around the perimeter. A typical 3-4 bedroom home requires a minimum of 8-10 stations. They should be clean and free from old bait. Rancid bait will contaminate new fresh bait placed in the stations. Ants will always prefer fresh bait, and denying them will likely result in failure to adequately control.

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