Effectiveness of Chemical Repellents in Deterring Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta) from Sherman Live Traps

Livetrapping small mammals is a common tool for surveying diversity and determining size of populations, but studies in the southern United States often are complicated by the red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta). We tested effectiveness of four chemical repellents applied around Sherman live traps to deter fire ants from removing bait and mutilating captured mammals (Borax, granules of pyrethrum, Raid Ant and Roach Spray, and carbaryl flea powder). A significant difference among repellents was detected, with carbaryl flea powder and Raid Ant and Roach Spray performing best. Carbaryl flea powder significantly reduced occurrence of fire ants in baited traps, while diversity and rates of capture for small mammals were unaffected.