Ant Management Techniques: ProAnt Bait Station

AntPro® Ant Control System

The AntPro® Ant Control System is designed to eliminate entire ant colonies—not just visible foraging ants. Its patented, round-the-clock, feed-on-demand liquid bait delivery system targets worker ants, allowing them to transport bait back to the nest where it is shared with the queen and colony members. Over time, this slow-acting approach leads to complete colony suppression.

Unlike broadcast insecticides, AntPro works without dispersing pesticides into the environment, helping protect human health, beneficial organisms, and surrounding ecosystems.

Why AntPro Works

AntPro is a high-volume, weather-tolerant liquid ant bait station engineered for outdoor use. It is compatible with low-toxicity liquid ant bait solutions made from an insect attractant combined with a slow-acting toxicant (commonly boric acid or borax-based solutions).

Key benefits include:

  • Kills entire ant colonies, not just surface activity

  • Continuous, controlled liquid bait delivery

  • Durable and weather-resistant for long-term outdoor use

  • Helps prevent reinfestation by maintaining a perimeter barrier

  • Avoids rapid-kill insecticides that cause colony relocation

AntPro systems are commonly used against carpenter ants, Argentine ants, imported fire ants, white-footed ants, crazy ants, and other nuisance ant species.

Ant Bait Station Placement Principles

Effective ant management depends more on strategic placement than on the sheer number of bait stations.

Worker ants forage randomly until a food source is found. Once located, they establish pheromone trails—essentially chemical highways—between the nest and the bait. Proper placement ensures these trails lead to your bait stations.

Important placement reminders:

  • Do not place bait stations directly over ant nests

  • Do not disturb nests or apply insecticides near stations

  • Avoid areas with heavy water runoff or flooding

  • Exterior use only—do not attract ants indoors

Placement Guidelines by Area

A. Homes & Structures

Place at least one AntPro station on each side of a structure. Adjust quantities based on building size and layout.

Recommended locations:

  • Acute corners where ants converge

  • Near A/C condenser overflow outlets (water attracts ants)

  • Shaded, moist north-facing areas

  • Along visible ant trails

Units by structure size:

  • 0–2,000 sq ft: 4 units

  • 2,000–3,000 sq ft: 6 units

  • 3,000–5,000 sq ft: 8 units

B. Lawn, Garden & Property Perimeter

For full-property protection, install additional stations around the perimeter of the lot.

  • Place stations where ants are most active

  • Position in shrub or tree belts when possible

  • Avoid interfering with lawn maintenance

Property size guidelines:

  • Up to 2 acres: minimum of 4 units

  • Over 2 acres: add 2 units per additional acre

C. Agricultural Acreage

The number of bait stations per acre depends on:

  • Ant species targeted

  • Degree of infestation

  • Acreage size and whether it is contiguous

General agricultural guideline:

  • Place dispensers 50–60 feet apart in a grid pattern

  • Approximately 14 stations per acre

  • After clearing a block, stations can be moved to the perimeter

Contact us for species-specific and site-specific recommendations.

Operating Instructions

General Use

When used with a low-toxicity liquid ant bait (such as a 1% boric acid or 5% borax solution), AntPro provides a durable, environmentally responsible system designed for long-term colony suppression.

Foraging ants transport the bait back to the nest, where gradual feeding over several weeks eliminates the colony. Continued bait availability helps prevent reinfestation.

How to Fill & Activate

  1. Unscrew the bait reservoir (bulb) from the base

  2. Fill with 12–20 oz of liquid ant bait (12 oz minimum recommended)

  3. While inverted, reattach the reservoir and fully tighten

  4. Turn the locking screw to secure for transport

  5. Choose a level outdoor location away from flooding

  6. Create a pilot hole with a screwdriver

  7. Attach the stake and insert firmly into the ground

  8. Activate by loosening the locking screw and rotating the reservoir 180° to the “active” position

  9. Re-tighten the locking screw to secure and restrict unauthorized access

Maintenance & Caution

  • Periodically empty, flush, and refill stations with fresh bait

  • Refill frequency depends on ant pressure and weather conditions

  • Avoid tilting or jarring activated stations to prevent spills

Important notes:

  • Liquid ant baits used with AntPro are labeled “Caution” by the EPA

  • Always read product labels and Safety Data Sheets before use

  • Do not use fast-acting insecticides alongside bait systems, as they disrupt foraging behavior and can worsen infestations

Product & Regulatory Notes

  • Gourmet ant bait formulations used with AntPro are registered in California

  • Select bait formulations are NOP-listed for organic use

  • Refer to UC study materials and product documentation for additional performance data