Extinguish Plus & Optigard Ant Gel Bait

• Optigard Ant Gel (non-fire household ants; NOT for fire, harvester, or Pharaoh ants).
• Extinguish Plus (fire ants; also controls big-headed/Argentine/harvester as labeled).

FLORIDA BASICS (read first)

• Work dry. For outdoor baiting, apply when ground is dry and don’t irrigate for 24 hours after; don’t apply within 6 hours of rain (Extinguish Plus).
• Never spray insecticides over or near baits. Clean any previously sprayed surfaces before placing gel (Optigard).
• Keep baits away from kids/pets; prefer stations anywhere access is possible.

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OPTIGARD ANT GEL (for sugar/trail ants; not for fire/harvester/Pharaoh)
Use sites: indoor and outdoor on/adjacent to structures.

A) WITH REFILLABLE BAIT STATIONS (best where access is a concern or outdoors)

1. Placement: Put stations on active trails and points of entry (weep holes, eaves/soffits, where wires/pipes enter). Outdoors, keep stations shaded and out of direct sun/rain.
2. Load & close: Apply gel into the tamper-resistant station, close securely. Check weekly. Refill if consumed or dried.
3. Follow-up: Expect fewer foragers in a few days to a week as gel is shared through the colony. Reposition onto fresh trails as they shift.

B) WITHOUT STATIONS (spots/beads in cracks & crevices)

1. Indoors: Place multiple small spots in cracks/crevices and out-of-the-way areas: under/behind appliances, under sinks, around baseboards, window/door frames, pipe chases. Do not place on routinely washed surfaces or food-prep areas. Clean any prior spray residue before baiting.
2. Outdoors (on/adjacent to the structure): Place small gel spots adjacent to trails and entry points (weep holes, soffits/eaves, utility penetrations). Weather exposure shortens gel life—inspect and reapply as needed.
3. Do not contaminate: Don’t spray over gel; avoid routine washdowns that remove/dilute bait.

What to expect: Dead ants may appear within days; substantial reduction in foraging in a few days to a week. High moisture retention helps gel remain attractive at least two weeks.

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EXTINGUISH PLUS (fire ants; also labeled for big-headed/Argentine/harvester)
Use sites: lawns, landscaped areas, commercial turf, and more. Apply when ants are actively foraging (soil >60°F). Quick test: place a potato chip—if workers recruit in minutes, conditions are right. Keep bait dry.

A) WITH REFILLABLE BAIT STATIONS (perimeter/intercept)

1. Station spacing: Place 1 station every 15–30 linear feet along structure edges/fence lines and near entry points/ant activity.
2. Amount per station: Up to 1 ounce (≈2 Tbsp) per station. Inspect frequently; replenish if soiled, wet, or consumed. Affix a content sticker to each station.
3. Moisture rules: Don’t apply within 6 hours of rain; area should be dry from dew/irrigation; do not irrigate for 24 hours after placement.

B) WITHOUT STATIONS

1. Broadcast (best for yard-wide fire ant pressure):
   • Rate: 1.5 lb/acre = 3 oz per 5,000 sq ft (fire ants). Use a hand or rotary spreader for a light, even scatter. Keep bait dry per moisture rules above. Re-treat as needed (observe pasture/rangeland limits if applicable).
2. Individual mounds (clean-up after broadcast or spot issues):
   • Apply 2–5 level tablespoons per mound, uniformly around the mound. Do not disturb the mound. Keep bait dry.
3. Indoors (non-food areas only; use stations where possible):
   • Apply 0.25–0.5 oz per crack/crevice/inaccessible area; in unfinished attics/crawl spaces 0.25 oz per 100 sq ft only if secured from children/pets.

What to expect: Foraging declines begin about a week after ants feed; colony collapses as the queen dies. The IGR component prevents rebound. Keep fresh bait available for new/satellite colonies.

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SAFETY & HOUSEKEEPING (both products)

• Keep unprotected persons/pets out of treated areas during application; use tamper-resistant stations where access is possible.
• Food areas: crack-and-crevice only; if bait contacts an exposed food surface, remove and wash before use.
• Storage: Keep containers tightly closed, cool, and dry; discard wet/soiled bait. Use Extinguish Plus within 3 months after opening (oil can turn rancid).

QUICK PICK (what to use where)

• Kitchen/bath/laundry trails (sweet ants): Optigard Gel (spots/crevices). Use stations for kid/pet areas.
• Exterior sugar-ant trails on the house: Optigard in tamper-resistant stations near entry points/trails.
• Yard fire ants: Extinguish Plus broadcast + mound treatments where needed; or stations along perimeters (15–30 ft spacing; 1 oz per station).

Want this turned into a one-page printable step card with checkboxes and refill dates? Say “make a canvas” and I’ll format it.

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LABEL RECEIPTS (required)

• Source: Optigard Ant Gel Bait Label (4).pdf, “Use Information” & “Application Procedures” & “Outdoor Use.” Snippet: “For indoor and outdoor control of structure-invading ants: excluding fire, harvester and Pharaoh… Do not spray insecticide over gel… place bait in cracks and crevices… bait may also be placed outdoors into refillable tamper-resistant bait stations… reduction in foraging within a few days to a week.”
• Source: Extinguish Plus Fire Ant Control Specimen Label (1).pdf, “Outdoor Use,” “Treatment Rate” tables, “Refillable Bait Stations,” “Indoor Use,” and moisture/timing directions. Snippet: “Broadcast 1.5 lb/acre [3 oz/5,000 sq ft]… Individual mounds 2–5 level tablespoons… Use in refillable bait stations up to 1 ounce; 1 station every 15–30 linear feet… Apply when ants are active… Do not apply within 6 hours of rain… Do not irrigate for 24 hours.”