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June 2006. Vanuatu asked about the practical ways of controlling crazy ants, especially by using baits.
The Global Invasive Species Database has a profile on the crazy ant (see below). There is information on management of the species using baits and there are also contact details of experts.
www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community has a Pacific Ant Prevention Programme, and offered assistance. The Programme’s goal is to “Protect biodiversity, livelihoods and lifestyles in the Pacific through the effective management of invasive ants”. Prevention of entry and establishment of high impact ant species are the two main objectives, and the problem with Crazy ants falls with in the latter. Details of the programme appear at:
www.issg.org/database/species/reference_files/PAPP.pdf
In order to assist, the identity of the ant and nature of the problem was requested. It is important to know if it is the crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) or the Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) Both species have been baited on Christmas Island with a Fipronil-based bait, which has yet to become commercially available. It is very effective in controlling yellow crazy ant supercolonies for 2 to 3 years. Information on the control of the yellow crazy ants can be obtained from the Natural Resources Manager, Christmas Island National Park, Western Australia
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