PAST PROJECTS
Enhancing biological control of citrus pests with improved ant control technologies
We developed and evaluated biodegradable hydrogel bait made from alginate, which comes from brown seaweed, that could potentially revolutionize ant management in different environmental settings, i.e., agricultural, urban, natural settings. Hydrogel bait encapsulates sucrose solution containing tiny amounts of pesticide, allowing ants to feed from the hydrogel surface. Compared to conventional sprays, the use of this novel baiting technique dramatically reduced the amount of pesticides applied to the environment.
We developed and evaluated biodegradable hydrogel bait made from alginate, which comes from brown seaweed, that could potentially revolutionize ant management in different environmental settings, i.e., agricultural, urban, natural settings. Hydrogel bait encapsulates sucrose solution containing tiny amounts of pesticide, allowing ants to feed from the hydrogel surface. Compared to conventional sprays, the use of this novel baiting technique dramatically reduced the amount of pesticides applied to the environment.
