One thing we often hear from new clients is that prior to moving to the Gulf Coast of Florida, they had no idea there were so many different types of ants. Most of us grow up picturing just the classic ant as a dark brown or black insect with a head with elbowed antennae, a much thinner thorax, a bulb abdomen, three pairs of legs and two sets of jaws.
But scientists have found more than 14-thousand species of ants and there could be just as many still to be cataloged. In the Sunshine State alone, we have more than 200 species. A lot of them started as invasive, but, like the imported red fire ant, are here to stay now.
Appearing Out of Nowhere
Our title this week is a bit misleading. There is no one ant species specifically named the Sugar Ant - which makes sense, since there are a lot of ants attracted to sweet things. Here in Florida there are a few ants that are sometimes called sugar ants - pharaoh ants, Argentine ants, pavement ants, acrobat ants, and the ones we're looking at today – ghost ants.
Ghost ants get their name from their appearance, or sometimes lack of appearance. They are pale, white ants that seemingly just arrive on your kitchen counter or all over a piece of dropped food in your pantry or dining room. It doesn’t help that they are tiny.
Tapinoma melanocephalum are just 1.3 to 1.5 mm long and the thickness of a dime or penny. Depending on the angle you’re at and the light, they may appear transparent, which is how they work their disappearing trick when the pest control technician comes by. Thankfully, they don’t bite unless their nest is threatened. They just want to suck up the sweet stuff. Honeydew, nectar and honey are at the top of their list.
Unlike some other ants, ghost ants are wildly varied in their nesting habits. They may take over a flowerpot, burrow into walls, or scurry into dead grass and leaves. One colony can also have multiple locations, all loosely connected by the ants' pheromones.
When you squish them, you may notice a banana oil odor similar to coconut.
Luring Them Away
So how do you get rid of ghost ants? To be honest, it’s really hard for one person or family to rid their home of a ghost ant infestation without professional help. But there are some steps you can take to make it easier to keep them at bay and assist your pest control expert.
Keep things clean. Yep, your mother was right. Sweep, mop, and wipe down surfaces in your home. Be especially alert for smaller breadcrumbs, bits of cereal that miss the bowl, a little spilled coffee or creamer. When you drop food on the floor, make sure you pick all of it up. Vacuuming helps, as does having a robovac that patrols periodically.
Store things the right way. Seal food in airtight containers and wipe up spills as soon as they happen. That milk may dry clear on the counter, but it’s deep enough to get the ant’s attention. Don’t leave sugary snacks or fruits out on the dinner table or kitchen counter.
Check your pipes. Ants are often attracted to moisture in your home. Sometimes that’s what first brings them in. Make sure leaky faucets are fixed, be aware of condensation on some of your under-sink pipes, and keep your gutters, if you have them, clean.
Use natural repellants. Just like they’re attracted to sweet things, spicy tends to ward them off. You can try cinnamon sticks, black pepper, or cayenne pepper. Some essential oils send them looking for greener pastures as well.
Call a professional. This is where we come in. We’ve dealt with ants for more than 35 years. In fact, they’re one of the main pests we target with our Green Perimeter Plus solution, along with roaches and spiders. We’ll check and seal insect entry points and treat your home for ants, focusing mostly on the exterior where the ant problems originate. It is always most important to find and treat the nest to completely solve ant issues. We’ll also come back and re-treat when necessary. For all the details, please give us a call!