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Ghost Ants

Ghost ants got their name from their albino-like appearance, and due to their small size, they are really hard to spot. They are a tropical species, which makes Central Florida perfect for their habitat, and they are unable to survive in the northern states.

What Exactly Are Ghost Ants?

Ghost ants are insects that fall under the same group ‘Hymenoptera’ that includes wasps and bees. They are related to the odorous house ants as they give off a coconut-like odor when they are crushed. This is why you should leave the ghost ant removal to a professional or at least try not to crush the ants. Here’s how you can identify ghost ants.

Appearance

  • Color – Ghost ants have dark heads and thoraxes, as well as a pale color on their legs and abdomen.
  • Legs – They have three pairs of legs which are almost transparent.
  • Size – Workers have a small body that ranges between 0.05 to 0.08 inches in length, while the queens are larger, at an average of 0.1 inches.

Reproduction, Diet & Habitat

Ghost ants love sugar and have been observed eating cakes, cookies, and apples. When they are outdoors, they often feed on plant insects. They usually nest outdoors beside stones, logs, or firewood piles. When they make nests indoors, it is usually inside wall voids, flowerpots, and behind baseboards. Colonies usually split into several nests, and it’s common to find ghost ants trailing between multiple nesting sites.

New colonies are often formed through a process known as budding. This involves a queen and a contingent of workers that have separated from the main colony, forming a new colony elsewhere.

Are Ghost Ant Infestations Dangerous?

Just like the Florida carpenter ants, the ghost ants do not sting and usually do not bite unless they are provoked or their nests are threatened. There are no reports of any skin reaction in the rare occasion of bites, other than a little discomfort or itching.

Also, they do not damage furniture or pose any threat to pets and children. Two of the worst things they can cause are eating your sweets and the constant transfer of huge colonies. Of course, we should not forget the possibility of transmitting diseases

The Solution — Ant Removal Services

Conducting ghost ants removal operations requires time and patience. Due to this fact, there can be multiple nesting sites, so these species are usually best left to a professional pest control company.

If You’ve Got Pests, Then Call the Best!