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Note:
For safety reasons, an electrician or a licensed pest control
operator should treat infested electrical equipment. Specialized
products and training are necessary to treat these sites safely
and effectively.
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Fire ants
in electrical
utility housing
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Fire ants
in relay switch box
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Treatment
Program
1 |
Turn
off all electrical service before starting. |
2 |
With
an individual mound treatment method, eliminate colonies
around electrical and plumbing casings and housings. |
3 |
Injectable
aerosol products containing pyrethrins, or similar products,
give rapid control. |
4 |
Hydramethylnon,
abamectin, indoxacarb, and spinosad baits applied to individual
fire ant mounds will provide control in about 1 week, even
if the colony is located within the structure. |
5 |
Do
not use liquid drenches, sprays, or products that may damage
insulation around electrical fixtures.
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6 |
Treatment
of a larger area around the electrical structure is optional. |
7 |
Mound
and area treatments are described in the section on Home
Lawns and Other Ornamental Turf Areas. |
8 |
Be
extremely careful when applying pesticide around water systems
and well heads to prevent contamination of wells and ground
water. |
| 9 |
Once
ants are eliminated, remove debris and soil from equipment
housing to reduce possibilities of short circuit. |
10 |
Treat
the inside of equipment housings with products labeled for
this use, such as Rainbow® Fire Ant & Insect Killer
(chlorpyrifos), Ascend® (abamectin), or Hot Shot® No-Pest
Strip , Spectracide® Bug Stop Pest Strip (dichlorvos). |
A |
After
ants are removed from the electrical equipment, prevent reinfestation,
and damage. |
B |
Where
possible, seal all sensitive electrical components, particularly
those that are not insulated. |
C |
Examples
are plastic housings containing contact points of switches,
relays and circuit breakers. |
D |
Spray
long-residual contact insecticides around housings, making
sure to avoid the electrical circuitry or components. |
E |
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