Which of the following ant species are commonly controlled with baits?

Baits are commonly used as a method of controlling certain ant species due to their foraging behaviors and feeding habits. In this context, the Pharaoh, pavement, Argentine, and thief ants all exhibit characteristics that make them particularly susceptible to baiting strategies.

Pharaoh ants, for example, have a tendency to forage actively and can easily locate bait, which they then take back to their colony, allowing for effective colony-wide control. Argentine ants are also highly attracted to bait, which they readily consume and share among their colony, leading to a decline in their population. Pavement ants can similarly be controlled through baiting since they will also carry it back to their nest. Thief ants, notable for their small size and similar foraging patterns, can be effectively targeted with bait as well.

Each of these species shows a low resistance to bait and a high likelihood of returning to their colony with the bait, allowing for a targeted approach to extermination. The effectiveness of baits in targeting these specific ants highlights the importance of understanding their behavior and biology when considering pest control strategies.