The leaves on my columbines have yellowish, curly tracks on them. What are these and will it kill my plants? (Tosha, Pine Bluff)

  Without have a photo to confirm, your description sounds like leafminers. (check with your county extension agent to be sure) Many different insects can be leafminers, including certain flies, wasps, moths and beetles. The larvae of these insects feed on the soft interior tissues of a leaf, creating tunnels. Recommended insecticides include: acephate, bifenthrin, carbaryl, cyflythrin, horticultural oil, imidacloprid, premethrin, pyrethrins and spinosad. Additional information can be found in MP144, "Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas."

  I have lots of winged bugs crawling on the floor of my bathroom. Are they termites or ants? (Derrick, Fayetteville)

  Look closely at the insects. Ant bodies appear constricted or pinched in at the waist, while termites do not have the waist constriction and are of similar width from end to end. Ants have elbowed antennae, while termites have straight, bead-like antennae. Ants and termites each have four wings; however, the forewings of ants are much larger than their hindwings. Termite wings are equal in size and shape. Ant wings are transparent or brownish, while termite wings are milky-white or grayish and longer than the body. Ant wings are firmly attached, while termite wings are easily removed or shed. More information can be obtained from FSA7061, “Subterranean Termite Identification and Biology,” MP440, “Termite Prevention and Control Methods,” and MP144, "Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas."

  Help! I have ant mounds around my house and in my yard (see attached picture) and the ants sting! How can I get rid of them? (Cindy, Stamps)

  Imported fire ants can be controlled in your yard by using the two-step method. This method can effectively control heavy fire ant infestations when conducted once or twice per year. The first step is to broadcast a bait-formulated insecticide over the entire yard on an annual or semiannual basis (spring and fall). The second step occurs about a week later with the individual treatment of problem mounds with approved insecticidal dusts, liquid drenches, baits, granules, aerosols or a nonchemical treatment such as pouring hot water on the mound. More information can be obtained from FSA7036, “Fire Ant Control in Two Easy Steps,” FSA7052, “Twenty Questions About Fire Ants,” MP426, “Managing Imported Fire Ants in Urban Areas,” and MP144, "Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas."

Useful Information

• Pest Management News
• Insecticide Recommendations for Arkansas - MP144

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