Texas harbors many ant species; some are more threatening than others and others are more common. Pilfering sugary treats, ants are such a common insect that invade homes, that people recognize them in the act. Due to their pale color and tiny stature, the ghost ant can be hard to detect. These ants are found more commonly throughout the Southern States such as Texas as they cannot survive northern states unless they live in greenhouses or other heated spaces. Concerning ghost ants, we at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would like to take the opportunity to share some of the basics.
What Do Ghost Ants Look Like?
Crawling on the standard six legs that are a pale yellowish color, along with the abdomen, ghost ants have a dark brown head and thorax. The thorax doesn’t have a spine, and they are unevenly rounded. Worker ants are about 1/16” in length. Ghost ants are highly adaptable in their nesting habits, much like pharaoh ants. Ghost ant colonies can range from moderate to large in size and can contain thousands of workers since they have numerous and functional queens distributed across multiple nesting sites. Honey dew is a favorite treat included in their diet that also consists of both living and dead insects. Inside homes, they will feast on sweet scraps and will often stay close to the kitchen for convenience. Being more of an annoyance to homeowners when they nest indoors, ghost ants do not have a stinger. Similar to the odorous house ants, however, these ants secrete a rotten coconut-like odor when they are crushed.
Where Do Ghost Ants Live?
Within the fallen leaves and other debris, as well as beneath stones in addition to crevices and cavities of dead tree branches, ghost ants nest underground when they are roughing it outside. These ants will readily go inside structures with plenty of opportunity as they first construct nests along sidewalks, patios and foundation walls.
Throughout the wall voids, between cabinets, inside the soil of potted plants, and behind baseboards is where ghost ants settle in when they get inside. Beneath carpet edges, or along electrical wires allows the ghost ants to remain elusive. Water sources such as shower stalls, tubs, sinks, potted plants, and other examples so ghost ants can meet the high moisture demands.
How to Prevent Ghost Ants
Trees and shrubs in direct contact with the structure is often the method as to how ghost ants wander inside. Keep the vegetation trimmed away from the house and ensure to stack any firewood away from the house to prevent their infestations.
Ant Inspections, Control & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
Due to their colony sizes and structure, it can be a challenge to eliminate ghost ants from your home and if you suspect an infestation, you need professional assistance for effective results. With A Five Star Termite & Pest Control, we can destroy any ant infestation that has taken up residency within your home. With preventative routinely scheduled pest control services, our skilled experts can help prevent these ants and other pest infestations as well. Contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control to remove ants or other pests from your Florida home or to incorporate pest management maintenance services.
