Ghost Ant Identification in Florida

Ghost ants are the most common ants found in Florida homes. Just like the name says, you could call them little ghosts for being so difficult to see, and you might also know them as "sugar ants" for being found near sweets. You might not catch them, but you likely have some of these ants in your home or in your yard without even knowing it. 

Ghost ants have little black heads and translucent yellow-ish bodies. They average at about 1.3-1.5 mm long, making them smaller than most ants. They move so quickly and erratically you may mistake them for spiders!

Ghost ants are most often found both indoors and outdoors. Outdoors, ghost ants are typically in temporary nests in leaf litter, shrubs and trees. Inside, ghost ants will usually be in kitchens and bathrooms. 

Ghost ants will create single file trails outside that may lead hundreds of yards from a nest to a food source, while inside, they prefer to follow hard edges of countertops, corners and moldings.

The best way to get rid of ghost ants in Florida is to use a non-repellent ant bait such as Maxforce Quantum, Optigard Ant Gel, or Advion Ant Gel. Remember that these baits will not work immediately, it can take 1-7 days for them to start working. You may also see increased activity initially, but the ants you see are eating the bait and taking it to the other ants in the colony. 

You should avoid using repellent sprays or other forms of repellents. Repellents kill on contact, but the ants will know they are being harmed and the colony will scatter. This triggers a process called budding, where ants will divide into new colonies and multiple even faster. 

With non-repellent baits, the ants will not know they’re being baited and will only start dying after they’ve taken the bait to the queen. This is one of the most effective ways to directly eliminate a ghost ant colony. 

The other best way to get rid of ghost ants is to go after the source which is the sap-sucking insects in your yard including aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and other scale insects. The best way to deal with these insects is by adding beneficial predators to your yard including ladybugs, green lacewings, praying mantises and parasitic wasps.

You can attract these predators by creating a habitat to encourage them. You can add pollinating plants to your yard, such as dill, marigold, chamomile, or coriander. You can purchase lacewing or ladybug eggs. 

Another way to get rid of sap sucking insects is to ensure your soil is in good condition and your plants are well-watered. Sap sucking insects are attracted to weak or dying plants, so making sure they’re as healthy and resilient as possible will keep them away. 

Once these lawn pests have gone away, you’ll notice that your ghost ant infestation will start to go away as well. 

Have you noticed tiny clear ants or small white ants in your home? The fastest way to control Florida ghost ants is to contact your local ant exterminator. With over 3,000 five-star Google reviews, Native Pest Management is the most reliable ant control company in Florida. 

We use eco-friendly and pet friendly ant control products to put you, your family, and the planet first and while eliminating your ghost ant infestation for good. Contact us today to schedule your free quote!