What are Ghost Ants Attracted to & How to Get Rid of Ant Pests in Ocklawaha, FL

The ghost ant invaded Southern Florida in the 1980’s. By the mid 1990’s, ghost ants migrated to central Florida and became major nuisances in homes throughout the state. It’s been believed that they originated from either Africa or an Oriental country and were likely brought in by cargo ship. This invasive ant species is a tropical pest, making Florida the perfect habitat for them to thrive. They are commonly found in homes throughout the state and often require the assistance of a professional pest control company to control and eradicate their presence from homes. Florida is home to many types of biting and stinging pests that residents are familiar with, today Pest 911 will be discussing the ghost ant.

Ghost Ant Identification

Ghost ants get their name from their appearance. Their coloring allows them to blend in with their surroundings easily therefore making them difficult to see. Ghost ants are tiny measuring about the width of a grain of rice in length. Their head and thorax are a dark brown coloring while their antennae, legs and back end are a milky white color. When crushed, they emit a rotten coconut type odor, similar to odorous house ants.

What are Ghost Ants Attracted To?

A ghost ant’s small structure allows them to make their way into homes through the tiniest of openings. They enter through doorways, windows, cracks and crevices around the structure, or by hitching a ride in from a newly purchased plant. Ghost ants have breached even the most secure of greenhouses in search for food and nesting sites, so be sure to thoroughly inspect any new plants for the presence of ghost ants before bringing them into your home. Unlike other ant species, ghost ants not only build nests outdoors, but indoors as well. They even frequent areas that are often disturbed such as flowerpots, beneath loose tree bark, at the bases of palm fronds or under debris on the ground. Indoors they nest on book shelves between books, in wall voids or cracks and crevices between flooring and baseboards. Ghost ants have been known to have a sweet tooth and once inside your home will likely feed on sweet treats such as cereal, syrup or sugar. They are often found on bathroom or kitchen counters in search of food left behind.

Ghost Ant Prevention

As mentioned before, controlling ghost ant populations often requires the assistance of a professional pest control company and will require patience. These unwelcome house guests occupy multiple nesting sites with multiple queens and sub-colonies which can prove to be difficult to control. Your best form of defense against the ghost ant is to frequently inspect indoor and outdoor potted plants and keep a tidy home. Any type of food crumbs left out will attract these ants and any foods left out on the counter such as cakes, cereals, sugary drinks etc. will attract them. Clean up messes and spills as they occur, keep dishes washed and store food in airtight containers. Remove any plants that attract whiteflies, aphids, ants or any type of honeydew insects that may attract Ghost ants to your home.

Ant Control

Pest 911 is experienced and skilled in the art of controlling ant populations. Each home and infestation are unique and therefore requires its own custom pest control plan to eradicate the ant species existence. Because ghost ants set up multiple colonies, they often require more than one treatment and some patience to get rid of which is why it’s best to work with a pest control company who knows just what to do to control ghost ant populations. If you have additional questions about ghost ants or need assistance regaining control of your home from a ghost ant population, give us a call. We’re happy to assist you!