Have you seen “sugar ants” in your home or office?
While we refer to these small ants as “sugar ants”, they may actually be one of a number of different ant species currently found in Florida: tawny crazy ants, pharaoh ants, argentine ants, ghost ants, acrobat ants, and odorous ants.
These various ant species are usually small (2-3mm long or less than 1/10 inch), range from light brown to black, and are particularly fond of sweets – although most eat a fairly-balanced diet that includes seeds, meats, grease, and other insects.
The “sugar ant” species reproduce quickly. Queen ants can lay up to 800 eggs per day. Consequently, large colonies with multiple queens can produce thousands of eggs each day.
Many of the species listed under “sugar ants” live in moist settings – so South Florida is a perfect home for them. However, species such as tawny crazy ants live in moist as well as dry areas, including under rocks, buildings, and among garbage. You may recognize the tawny crazy ants from their frantic movements.
Pharaoh ants are usually transparent, light brown, or yellow in color. Found near food, pharaoh ant infestations can create large colonies very quickly, setting up homes in cabinets, walls, and in sheets or other fabrics. These ants can carry disease, so if you think you might have pharaoh ants, you’ll want to find a pest control solution promptly.
Comparable the other species mentioned above, argentine ants are light to dark brown in color and quite small, ranging from 2-3 mm in length. They also live in moist environments and can be found in very large colonies, with thousands of ants. And, like the other “sugar ant” species, they prefer sweet foods.
While we’re talking about ants, white-footed ants are also commonly found in South Florida. While this species is small, like the other “sugar ants” measuring 1/8 of an inch, they are easily differentiated from others by their black bodies and light-colored legs. Similar to “sugar ants”, white-footed ants don’t sting or cause structural home damage, but this species is particularly difficult to eliminate because they create huge colonies – numbering up to 1 million – and have a talent for detecting and moving around chemicals meant to exterminate pests. Treating white-footed ants usually requires regular treatments over time.
You may be wondering which of the ant species you have, but businesses and homes are not limited to one species of ants – your home or office may be infested with multiple species. To find out more about your ant infestation and how to control it, please contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 954-945-5050
To help keep “sugar ants” to a minimum in your home, follow these recommendations:
- Caulk crevices in your home and garage
- Keep the kitchen area free of crumbs and spilled liquids
- Repair any water leaks; check sprinklers to ensure they don’t water the building
- Trim bushes, remove piles of debris or wood
- Keep landscape away from foundations
Ultimately, ant removal often requires pest control professionals – technicians who are knowledgeable about ant behavior patterns, their food sources, breeding, and preferred habitats. Once our ant infestation control professionals identify the ant species, they can locate their nesting area to treat the ants quickly and effectively.
Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) sets the standard for pest control service with residential, commercial and industrial customers and provides knowledgeable pest control professionals who are thorough, efficient and discrete. The company employs comprehensive, state-of-the art technologies, chemical, and non-chemical treatments to eliminate pest problems.
For more information or for a free estimate, please visit us at Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) or contact the Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC) at 954-945-5050 today. Florida Pest Control Center (FPCC)services are licensed, insured, and guaranteed.