Ghost Ants
Ghost Ant
Ghost Ants are one of the most important ant pests in Central Florida. Of the ant pests that infest inside homes and businesses, Ghost Ants are at the top of the list!
Ghost Ants are very small - only around one mm long, which is 4/100 of an inch! Now that's small!! In fact, they are so small, that most people can't tell whether they are ants or another insect. Unlike many other ant species, these ants are all the same size within the colony. The front part of this ant (the head and thorax) are dark-brown to black, while the back end (the gaster) is very light in color. The legs and antennae are very light in color as well. Without a magnifying glass, it is difficult to ascertain this coloration while these ants are running around.
Ghost Ants will nest outside as well as inside homes. Typically, these ants will form many small nests inside a home, with ants traveling from one nest to another. For example, small nests commonly establish inside wall voids, underneath cabinets, and inside potted plants. Ghost Ants are very common outdoors as well. Common nesting sites outdoors include bases of palm fronds, underneath tree bark, under rocks and mulch, and around shrub beds.
Ghost Ants colonies often split by budding when disturbed, or when nests reach a certain size. This means that colonies split to form new colonies often. This plays an important role in effectively treating for Ghost Ants.
People often ask - "how do these ants enter into my home?" and "I never open my windows, so how are these ants getting in?" - Ghost Ants enter homes and businesses through tiny entry points around windows and doors, cracks in foundations and exterior wall structures, cracks associated with exterior water spigots and air conditioning drain lines, electric outlets, and through and around roof soffits - to name a few places. In other words, there are plenty of entry points for these ants to get in!
Ghost Ants prefer to feed on sweets and protein. For this reason, they commonly infest cookies, cakes, and other desserts that are left on kitchen counters. Therefore, as part of a sound management approach for Ghost Ants, it is important to keep sugars, syrups, candy, and other sweets in containers that ants will not get into (for example, tight-sealed glass jars) or in the refrigerator.
Inside the home, the most important aspect in management of Ghost Ants is cleanliness. One drop of syrup between the counter and the stove would provide plenty of food for these ants for weeks. Ensuring that your pet food is not also ant food is also very important, so store pet food (that includes dog, cat, ferret, etc.) in a tight container, and don't leave food in the bowl for long periods. Removing potted plants from the house can also help by reducing potential nesting areas. Finally, make sure that you don't have any active leaks, as Ghost Ants are attracted to moisture. I can't tell you how many times I've discovered undetected leaks while searching out for Ghost Ants inside homes!
Outside of the home, make sure that foliage is not in contact with the structure - this includes foundation plants and trees, including palm fronds. Clean your gutters out often, as accumulated debris makes for a perfect nesting site. Additionally, keep up with caulking cracks around windows and doors, as well as on the exterior block of your home. And when checking on your irrigation system (which you should do regularly), ensure that no water is hitting the structure.
When Ghost Ants infest your home, we will search out for the source of the ants, and apply the most appropriate treatment. Sometimes this will involve treatment from the exterior of your home, and other times careful placement of highly attractive ant baits inside, or both. For extensive infestations that involve multiple nests inside and out, several visits may be required. Either way, our experienced team members are here to help!