I have ascertained that argentine ants have sufficient absorption at infrared wavelengths that laser will ablate them.<p>For those wondering about fire insurance, its not a long distance thing, its a camera looking down on a region about 1&#x27; x 1&#x27; of light colored paving tiles (ceramic). The entire apparatus would sit about 3&#x27; off the tiles (to give enough x and y control over the beam) The tiles are not reflective relative to IR but I&#x27;ve got IR screens anyway (I suppose an ant could try to carry a mirror if you watch horror movies)