Ant killer bait dropped in pool

Wildcat · Jul 12, 2015

I had one of these Amdro ant killer baits blow into or otherwise get knocked into the pool last night. Found it in the skimmer basket today, all the insecticide had dissolved.

AMDRO : Kills Ants Ant Killing Bait Stations : Overview

Will this cause an issue in a 10,000 gallon pool? I know my next question is bordering on heresy but I have some Phos Free leftover from before adopting TFP methods two years ago. Since I think it sort of forms a film on the cartridge filter might it help trap some of the chemical?

Here's the MSDS and label

http://www.amdro.com/~/media/Files/Amdro/MSDS/MSDS%20Amdro%20Kills%20Ants%20Ant%20Killing%20Bait%20Stations%2016633373342%20Item%20No%20100501524%20100501528.ashx

http://www.amdro.com/~/media/Files/Amdro/ProductLabels/AMDRO_Kills_Ants_4pk_Bait_Station_%20New%20Die_05559.ashx

Richard320 · Jul 12, 2015

The MSDS doesn't impress me much, but this sheet seems to indicate it's no big deal http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/hydratech.pdf

Hydramethylnon photodegrades with a half-life of 1 hour in water and 5 days in soil (sidebox indicates only 3% left after 5 hours)

Check out page 4. Rats ate it for 2 years to get cancer. Doesn't harm bees.

JamesW · Jul 12, 2015

The amount of active ingredient is very small. Diluted in 10,000 gallons, there should not be a problem.

Wildcat · Jul 12, 2015

Thanks for the reassurance. The half life suggests it is about gone by now since the sun has been strong since 5:30 AM this morning

morzh · Jul 12, 2015

I once had wasp poison control on the sprayer get I to my 10,000 gallon pool. The label was scary so I called them. They said no biggie. So I shrugged it off. That was some 7 years ago.

chem geek · Jul 13, 2015

This link provides more detailed information, but is consistent with what was already stated. It gets very diluted in water and sunlight breaks it down so don't worry about it.

morzh · Jul 13, 2015

So if an ant falls into the pool and dies, it is likely going to be not from the poison :lol: (I saved a cricket yesterday...crawled into the skimmer).

JamesW · Jul 13, 2015

Most likely, if an ant did fall into the pool the worst he would experience is a case of debilitating ennui.

morzh · Jul 13, 2015

Oh that's why they die in pools....