Because these ants are not easily controlled using a traditional pesticide. In fact, before I got an actually entymologist involved, the problem got continually worse. The product the company I had contracted with was using an organic pesticide that would stress the colony, then cause the colony to bud and I’d have a bigger problem every few months. I’ve got a couple good friends who are researchers in integrated pest management. IPM in this context means interrupting the lifecycle, and for these ants, if I can even get a small dose to the queen(s), this will effectively render then them sterile. I’ve been battling this infestation for over two years. I’ve had samples identified from an actual ant-lab. I’m doing bait stations, not broadcast treatments. I used a similar approach to dealing with a pharaoh ant infestation in the past. That time they did thousands of dollars in damage to some parts of my electrical system.

I don’t use sprays or pesticides in any thing but the most extreme need, but sometimes its the right tool to use, I’m not the kind of luddite who isn’t isn’t going to use the appropriate tool for the job.