Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait
Keep fire ants off your turf.
Fast, effective and affordable.
Product Overview
Siesta™ Insecticide Fire Ant Bait, with the active ingredient metaflumizone, delivers fast and long-lasting control of native and imported fire ants.
Metaflumizone belongs to the IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee) Mode of Action Chemical Group, 22B.
Siesta is the only sodium blocker insecticide (SCBI) that does not require metabolism for bioactivation. It acts in the insect's nervous system, where it blocks the voltage-dependent sodium neuron channel. As a result, these neurons are inactivated, causing the ant to enter a state described as "relaxed paralysis," or a siesta.
The direct effects are that Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait causes the cessation of feeding, increasing levels of immobility, and ultimately, ant death.
Performance Data
Fast Control in Broadcast Applications
Study: J. Cook, Sam Houston State, TX
This study demonstrates the speed of control. It compares the mean number of foraging workers over time (8 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days) for Untreated Control, Siesta™ (0.063% bait at 1.5 lb./A), and Advion® Fire Ant Bait (0.045% bait at 1.5 lb./A). Siesta™ showed a rapid reduction in foraging workers, reaching very low levels by 24 hours and maintaining this control. Advion® also reduced foraging workers but at a slower rate than Siesta™.
Effective Control in Broadcast Applications
Study: L. Greenberg, Univ. of CA, Davis
This study evaluates long-term effectiveness. It compares the mean number of foraging ants over time (Pre-treatment, 7 days, 70 days, 105 days) for Untreated Control, Siesta™ (0.063% bait at 1.5 lb./A), and Amdro® Pro Fire Ant Bait (0.75% bait at 1.5 lb./A). Siesta™ provided significant reduction in ant populations from pre-treatment levels and maintained control throughout the 105-day observation period, performing comparably to Amdro® Pro.
Product Details
Use Sites
Residential turfgrass and ornamental landscapes, commercial and industrial areas, school grounds and recreational areas, athletic fields, cemeteries, airports, roadsides, perimeters of hospitals, nursing homes, warehouses, noncrop/nongrazed areas, production field and container nurseries (around greenhouses), sod farms and golf courses. For more sites, consult label.
Formulation
0.063% metaflumizone active on corn grit bait
Packaging
25 lb. bag and 4 × 2 lb. jug/case
Active Ingredient
Metaflumizone
Chemical Family
Semicarbazone
Mode of Action
Voltage-dependent sodium channel neuron blocker, IRAC Group 22B
Behavior in Ants
Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait acts primarily through ant ingestion with limited contact activity. Feeding cessation begins quickly, within 15 minutes to 12 hours of ant recruitment of the bait. Insect death normally occurs within 72 hours.
Use Rates
Broadcast: 1.0-1.5 lb./A applied broadcast to the area.
Mound Treatments: 1.0-2.0 oz. (2-4 level tablespoons) around the mound.
Do not apply more than 6.0 lb. of product per acre per year or four applications.
Signal Word
CAUTION
Re-Entry Interval (REI)
None for non-WPS uses. 12 hr. for agricultural uses such as nurseries and sod farms.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Long-sleeved shirt and long pants, waterproof gloves, shoes plus socks.
General Care and Storage
- Store in a cool, dry, secure place, and keep container tightly closed.
- Unopened containers have a stable shelf life of two years.
- Opened containers should be used within three months.
- Avoid storing at high temperatures, above 95° F, for long periods.
- Store containers away from children and pets.
Keys to Success
Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait is best applied as a broadcast treatment to cover foraging ants and mounds that may remain hidden or unnoticed. Broadcast treatments can be applied using a hand spreader, backpack, or push-type spreader. For larger areas, spreaders can be attached to an ATV, truck, or tractor for even coverage. Calibrate the spreader prior to use to ensure an application rate of 1.0-1.5 lb./A.
- Best applied at the first sign of fire ant activity.
- Best applied in temperatures above 60° F, when ants are actively foraging.
- Best applied in early morning (no dew) or late in the afternoon.
- DO NOT water in granules after application.
- DO NOT apply when the ground is saturated with water.
Suggested Spreader Settings
Broadcast Spreaders
| Spreader Model | Setting |
|---|---|
| Scotts® SpeedyGreen® 2000 | 6.5 |
| Scotts® SpeedyGreen® 3000 | 6.0 |
| Sta-Green® 4500 | 5.5 |
| Vigoro® 4300 | 5.0 |
| Craftsman® Model 486.19710 | 4.5 |
| EZ Spread Model SB5500 (Precision Products Inc.) | 5.0 |
Drop Spreaders
| Spreader Model | Setting |
|---|---|
| Scotts® AccuGreen® 1000 | 8.0 |
| Scotts® AccuGreen® 2000 or Scotts® AccuGreen® 3000 | 8.5 |
Hand-held Spreaders
| Spreader Model | Setting |
|---|---|
| Scotts® HandyGreen® II | 3.5 |
| Earthway EV-N-SPRED® Model 2700-A | 3.0 |
| Ortho® Whirlybird® | 3.0 |
* Spreader settings are approximate, and variation can occur between identical models. Always calibrate your spreader by weighing a few pounds of product, applying it to a measured area, and adjusting the setting as necessary to ensure the correct application rate.
Mound Treatments
- Distribute product 3'-4' around the mound.
- Use 2-4 level tablespoons as the rate per mound.
- Do NOT disturb the mound.
- Mound applications should be made around the perimeter of the mound, not directly on top of it.
Retreatment and Rainfall Considerations
Retreatment with Siesta Insecticide Fire Ant Bait is on an as-needed basis and is influenced by environmental conditions and ant/mound populations. Always read and follow all label directions when making reapplication.
If heavy rainfall occurs within 12 hours of application, the bait treatment can be affected. Check ant mounds and foraging ant activity within seven days to determine if the bait resulted in good ant control. If needed, apply a contact insecticide such as Prescription Treatment® brand Cy-Kick® CS to the mounds.
