What Types Of Ants Can Be Found In West Palm Beach, FL

If you live in West Palm Beach, you probably see ants often. The warm weather, steady humidity, and moisture all year round keep many species active in South Florida. Because of the constant heat and humidity, ants in West Palm Beach, FL, behave differently from those in other parts of the country.

For reliable ant control in West Palm Beach, FL, it helps to understand which species you’re dealing with and how they behave.

You might notice ant trails along baseboards, activity near sinks, or small soil piles by driveways. Some ants like sweets, others like protein, and some choose damp wood. Because ants are active year-round in Florida, knowing how to identify them helps you stop an ant infestation and keep them from coming back.

Key Takeaways

West Palm Beach has many types of ants, including ghost ants, fire ants, big-headed ants, pavement ants, and more.
Ants enter through small crevices as they search for food, moisture, and shelter.
Correct ant identification helps prevent large numbers of ants from spreading indoors.
Professional ant control offers reliable options for long-term protection.

Fire Ants In West Palm Beach

Fire ants are very common in West Palm Beach and are known for their painful stings. The red imported fire ant is the most common type in the area. These reddish-brown ants build dome-shaped mounds in sunny areas, such as lawns and fields.

Heavy rain pushes fire ant colonies closer to the surface. That’s why you may see new mounds along sidewalks and driveways after a storm. A single sting hurts, and some people can have allergic reactions. Fire ants defend their nests aggressively and live in large underground colonies that grow quickly.

If you see many mounds in your yard, professional pest control services can reduce the risk of stings and protect your property. At Native Pest Management, we provide treatments for Florida ants that target colonies and reduce future activity.

Carpenter Ants And Wood Damage Concerns

Carpenter ants are some of the largest ants in West Palm Beach. They’re black or dark brown with smooth, rounded bodies and usually nest near wet or soft wood. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood like termites. Instead, they dig tunnels in damp wood to build nests.

You may notice sawdust near baseboards, window frames, or walls. Seeing this sawdust often means carpenter ants are nesting in damp or leaky areas.

Where Carpenter Ants Nest In Your Home

Carpenter ants often build nests in:

Moist window frames
Softened baseboards
Rafters with past water damage
Damp wall voids near kitchens or bathrooms

Other species of ants, such as acrobat ants, also nest in damp areas. Identifying the right type helps choose the best treatment. Our exterminators can inspect your home and create a plan for the exact ants you have.

Ghost Ants: A Common Indoor Invader

Ghost ants are one of the most common ants in South Florida homes. These tiny ants have pale legs, a see-through abdomen, and a dark head. Their scientific name, Tapinoma melanocephalum, describes their dark head and light body.

Ghost ants love sweets and often appear on counters, near sinks, and around pet bowls or pantry shelves as they search for food sources inside your home. They thrive in humid areas, making them easy to spread in West Palm Beach homes. Ghost ant colonies can grow quickly and hide in potted plants, under appliances, or in small cracks.

When they move inside, ghost ants leave long trails that often return even after cleaning. Professional pest control can stop these trails and prevent new colonies from forming indoors.

Argentine Ants And Their Large Trails

Argentine ants are another common species in West Palm Beach. These small brown ants leave long trails as they search for food or water. They move between outdoor nests and indoor areas, such as kitchens or bathrooms, especially during dry weather or heavy rain.

Argentine ants live in large colonies with several queens, making them hard to control on your own. When one colony splits, it can spread across a neighborhood.

Big-Headed Ants Around West Palm Beach Homes

Big-headed ants are easy to spot because they have two worker sizes: small ones and big soldiers with large heads. They build small soil mounds in lawns, along foundations, and near driveways or patios. When indoors, they move through wall spaces, outlets, and cracks near baseboards.

Big-headed ants like protein-rich foods but also eat sweets when they can. Because they nest in tight spaces, big-headed ants can be a common problem for local homeowners.

Sugar Ants And Why They Spread

Many homeowners use the term “sugar ants” to refer to any ants that prefer sweets. In Florida, this often includes ghost ants, odorous house ants, and pharaoh ants.

The key differences between sugar ants and pharaoh ants are their color, size, and number of queens. These ants show up quickly when you forget to store food properly or after spills on counters.

Sugar ants follow steady trails to food, and once they find what they’re looking for, they return with large numbers. Keeping items in airtight containers and wiping spills as soon as they happen helps keep these ants away. Because many species nest outdoors and indoors, cleaning alone is not always enough.

Pharaoh Ants And Indoor Spread

Pharaoh ants are tiny, pale-yellow ants found in warm, humid places. They often appear in homes, offices, and condos around West Palm Beach. They look for sweets, grease, and protein, so they usually nest in kitchens and laundry rooms.

Pharaoh ants are hard to control because they spread when disturbed. Some store-bought sprays can cause their colony to split and grow even bigger. Professional pest control can prevent colonies from splitting and effectively control pharaoh ants.

White-Footed Ants And Large Populations

White-footed ants are small, dark ants with pale legs. They are frequently seen in West Palm Beach and are known to form large numbers near landscaping and exterior walls. These ants feed on honeydew produced by aphids and often enter homes from shrubs.

Where White-Footed Ants Nest

White-footed ants commonly settle in:

Moist landscaping areas
Mulch beds
Roof lines
Cracks along exterior siding

Managing moisture and trimming plants helps reduce their activity, but ongoing treatments can help limit their movement indoors.

At Native Pest Management, we provide recurring services to help you get rid of white-footed ants and protect your home.

Pavement Ants In Outdoor Spaces

Pavement ants nest under slabs, stones, driveways, and patio areas. These dark brown ants push loose soil to the surface, creating small mounds between pavers or along edges.

They enter homes while searching for crumbs or other sources of food. Even though pavement ants aren’t aggressive, colonies expand when plenty of food is available.

We offer treatments that address pavement ant activity both inside and outside your home.

Crazy Ants And Fast-Moving Trails

Crazy ants move in erratic, unpredictable patterns and often gather near electrical areas or moisture sources. Their rapid movement helps them spread through homes quickly, especially during humid months.

You need to use targeted treatment to get rid of crazy ants, as they often avoid conventional control products. Professional help can target their nesting sites and reduce their spread.

Odorous House Ants And Their Strong Smell

Odorous house ants are small and give off a strong smell when crushed. They often show up near sinks, windows, or leaks because they like moisture. Outside, they nest under mulch, stones, or wood debris.

They move indoors through small gaps or entry points around plumbing and walls. If you often see them in your kitchen or bathroom, treatment can stop their trails.

Making The Right Ant Control Choice For Your West Palm Beach Home

Understanding which ant species you’re dealing with is the first step toward effective control. Each type of ant behaves differently, so choosing a treatment plan that targets their nesting habits is key to lasting results.

At Native Pest Management, we offer proven local solutions to protect West Palm Beach homes from persistent ant problems and other pests.

Ready to stop ants from coming back? Contact us today to schedule your inspection and keep your home pest-free.

FAQs

What attracts ants into West Palm Beach homes?

Ants enter homes in search of food, moisture, and shelter. Spills, crumbs, or leaking pipes are common attractants.

How can I get rid of ants safely?

Cleaning surfaces, storing items in airtight containers, and sealing gaps help reduce activity. Professional ant control provides longer-lasting results.

Are carpenter ants dangerous to West Palm Beach, FL, homes?

Carpenter ants tunnel through damp wood and may cause structural weakening if left untreated. An inspection can help locate and treat active nesting areas.