Ant Control Solutions Driven by Innovation

Sundew Solutions is an Australian company that has invested heavily in research and development to bring pest managers ant control solutions that work for Australian species and conditions. 

Ant infestations have long been the curse of pest management professionals, notorious for being the source of repeated customer callbacks and persistent headaches. The challenge of controlling ant populations, both indoors and outdoors, is multifaceted and influenced by environmental conditions, hygiene practices, and the ants’ own biological resilience.

Sundew Solutions, an Australian company, has spent over a decade addressing these challenges, developing a comprehensive range of ant treatment solutions. Sundew offers ant solutions designed for every situation – from robust outdoor treatments on hard surfaces and lawns to targeted indoor liquid and gel baits, along with non-repellent, colony-eliminating options that ensure ants carry the treatment back to their nests – all specifically tailored for the unique conditions found in Australia.

Ants are among the most adaptable and pervasive pests, exploiting gaps in ecosystems and swiftly repopulating areas cleared by pest control efforts. Their sheer biomass and complex social structure make them a formidable target. When a colony is disturbed, alarm pheromones signal danger, causing the ants to change routes, avoid treated areas, or regroup and continue expanding their territory. This cycle is a major reason why pest managers often face high rates of callbacks for ant treatments.

Outdoors, environmental factors like rain, intense heat, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and varying surface pH levels can degrade pesticide performance. Standard synthetic pyrethroids, such as bifenthrin, deltamethrin, and cypermethrin, may lose their effectiveness within just two weeks due to these harsh conditions. Indoors, challenges arise from regular household cleaning, restricted treatment areas, and the continuous search by ants for food and moisture sources, often following pheromone trails left by previous colonies.

Recognising these unique challenges, Sundew Solutions embarked on a mission to develop targeted products that could effectively address ant infestations in both outdoor and indoor environments.

Outdoor solutions with lasting impact

Understanding that external environmental conditions differ greatly from indoor settings, Sundew Solutions set out to create specialised products for each scenario. The first step was a thorough assessment of typical outdoor surfaces where ant infestations occur. The Sundew research team identified two primary categories: hard surfaces such as concrete, timber, and metal; and vegetative areas like gardens, lawns, and other natural ground covers.

For hard surfaces, Sundew introduced ANTagonistPRO, a polymer-enhanced bifenthrin product. It is the only one of its kind globally, engineered with proprietary polymer technology that significantly extends its durability in harsh outdoor conditions. ANTagonistPRO’s unique formulation resists wash-off from rain, withstands UV degradation, and maintains efficacy on pH-variable surfaces, providing a reliable solution for pest managers tackling outdoor ant infestations.

In vegetative areas, where ants commonly nest in soil, grass, and garden beds, Sundew developed SAS PRO Fipronil Granular Ant Killer. This product, the first of its kind in Australia, was meticulously crafted using high-grade quartz granules. Unlike conventional products that rely on river or beach sand, these granules ensure even application and better distribution of the active ingredient, fipronil. The innovative use of a proprietary active release adhesive technology facilitates rapid dispersion and uptake of fipronil, with lethal effect.

Field trials in Brisbane circa 2012 where treatments were applied to four replicates of 12 nests (total of 48 nests of each species) on coastal brown ant, funnel ant, odorous garden ant and pavement ant nests demonstrated SAS PRO was effective in eradicating 98% of nests in under 30 days. Further efficacy field trials on fire ants and yellow crazy ant nests involved seven replicates of five nests of each species (total of 35 nests of each species). The results, which were submitted to the APVMA in 2019, showed SAS PRO eliminated 98% of ant nests by 28 days.

The combined launch of ANTagonistPRO and SAS PRO in 2013 marked a significant advancement in outdoor ant control solutions. Both products have undergone extensive field testing against invasive ant species and have received approvals for the invasive tramp species – red imported fire ants and yellow crazy ants.

 

David Priddy, CEO of Sundew Solutions, in action collecting antsfor trials
David Priddy, CEO of Sundew Solutions, in action collecting ants for trials

 

Refining indoor solutions

Following the success of its outdoor solutions, Sundew shifted focus to developing effective and safe products for indoor ant infestations. Pest managers had identified that of the ten ant species typically encountered indoors, eight showed a strong preference for sugar-based foods. Additionally, there was a growing demand for targeted, non-repellent treatments suitable for sensitive indoor environments.

Sundew responded with a suite of innovative products, starting with AttractANT PRO Ant Bait Gel. Extensive field testing revealed a food that attracted the broadest range of ant species but was incompatible with standard gel bait formulations. Formulation chemists overcame this hurdle by developing a novel bait matrix that stabilises the preferred food within the gel, allowing it to be applied even to vertical or inverted surfaces without running. The unique formulation of AttractANT PRO has made it the preferred ant bait gel for many pest management professionals across Australia, delivering reliable results and exceptional control.

For ants that prefer liquid sugary foods, Sundew introduced QuenchPRO Liquid Ant Bait. Dispensed in bait stations like the Ant Cafe, QuenchPRO is rapidly shared among colony members, efficiently killing the queen and eradicating the colony. Its ease of use and effective results make it the liquid bait of choice for many pest managers.

Lastly, responding to the need for a non-repellent suspension concentrate, Sundew launched EnsnarePRO 50 SC. This product was the world’s first indoxacarb-based suspension concentrate specifically designed for indoor ant treatments. Unlike older formulations that often left messy residues, EnsnarePRO offers a cleaner, safer option for managing large indoor infestations. Indoxacarb’s safer LD50 compared to conventional pesticides makes it a smart choice for indoor use and sensitive areas, minimising risk to people, pets, and the environment while effectively targeting pests.

Sundew Solutions’ dedication to understanding the unique challenges posed by ant infestations has driven its product development over the past decade. “By working closely with field researchers, formulation chemists, and experienced pest managers, Sundew has created a robust portfolio of solutions tailored to both outdoor and indoor environments,” said David Priddy, CEO of Sundew Solutions.

“ANTagonistPRO and SAS PRO have set new benchmarks for outdoor ant control, while AttractANT PRO, Quench PRO, and EnsnarePRO have revolutionised indoor ant treatment options. These innovative products, grounded in extensive research and field testing, are trusted by pest management professionals across Australia,” he added.

In an industry where results matter, Sundew Solutions has established itself as a trusted provider of effective, durable, and safe ant control solutions. For pest managers looking to minimise callbacks and enhance customer satisfaction, Sundew’s advanced ant treatments offer a proven path to success. With a clear commitment to research and innovation, Sundew Solutions proudly stakes its reputation as ‘the ant solutions company’ – a trusted partner in the fight against one of nature’s most resilient pests.

Choose Your Country or Region

Asia Pacific