FLORIDA ANTS
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on Ants |
| Ghost Ant |
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Appearance:
Ghost ants have a dark brown head and thorax, with a opaque or milky white abdomen and legs.
Size:
Less than 1/16-inch long.
Behavior:
The Ghost ant is highly adaptable in its nesting habits, nesting readily outdoors or indoors. Colonies may be moderate to large in size containing numerous reproducing females (queens). They have a habit of running rapidly and erratically when disturbed.
They are small enough to enter homes through the tiniest holes in caulking or cracks in foundations, or from plants that touch the home. Once inside, they can be seen in kitchens and bathrooms trailing to and from the sinks in search of moisture. They are fond of honeydew and are similar to Argentine ants in that they guard honeydew-producing insects. They feed on dead and live insects, but once inside they will eat anything sweet (hence the name “sugar ant”, as they are sometimes called).
Habitat:
The Ghost ant is a nuisance ant that is common in central and southern Florida. It is particularly fond of nesting inside the aluminum supports around screen porches. Once inside your home, it will nest in potted plants and other moist areas, as well as wall voids or spaces between cabinetry and baseboards.
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Their colonies are broken into sub-colonies that occupy different nest sites and exchange individuals back and forth along odor trails. The sites include damp grass, plant stems and cavities beneath debris in open, rapidly changing environments. Ghost ants are opportunistic nesters and are often found in places that may remain habitable for only a few days or weeks, and are thus known as a “tramp” ant.
Unique Characteristics:
When they move around on light surfaces, the Ghost ant’s transparent abdomens and legs seem to vanish, leaving just the dark head and thorax visible. On darker surfaces, all you see are pale patches moving about, giving it a “ghostly” appearance.
Control:
It is best to disperse piles of wood, rocks and other debris to discourage nesting sites. Trim landscaping to keep limbs from touching the outside of homes and eliminate excess moisture by repairing leaky roofs, hoses and plumbing. Seal any holes or cracks in exterior walls and foundations. Treating the colonies and sub-colonies directly is suggested since ghost ants usually do not respond to baits.
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