Out of all of the states in the United States of America, Florida perhaps has the worst reputation when it comes to bugs. There are thousands upon thousands of insects and arthropods in the Sunshine State. And a lot of this has to do with the state’s tropical climate.
Bugs love hot and humid environments, after all. In fact, the state is so hospitable to bugs, that it is estimated that one arthropod pest becomes established in Florida every month.
One of the most bothersome bugs are the ants. And there are many different types of ants in Florida. Thankfully for you, we have a list of the different kinds of ants and how to get rid of them.
So if you would like to learn more then keep on reading and we will take you through everything that you will want to know!
Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are able to take advantage of artificial heating in buildings in order to make it through the winter. They usually gather in food service areas. These ants will nest in hidden areas in a building but can also nest outside in gardens and lawns.
Pharaoh ants build nests in sheets of paper, folds of clothes, curtain rods, fridge insulation, behind baseboards, and in cabinet voids and walls.
These ants are very small. They are usually only around two millimeters long. They tend to have light yellow bodies with black and red markings on the abdomen.
The best way to get rid of these ants is with baiting. You want to choose sugar-based baits. When you place your baits, you want to understand that they tend to change locations.
Argentine Ants
Argentine ants are good at adapting. They can nest in all different kinds of areas. Their colonies are very big and can have hundreds of queens. Their nests are usually located in wet soil, under or next to buildings, beneath boards, and along sidewalks. Argentine ants tend to travel in trails.
These bugs are omnivores and they will eat practically anything. Although Argentine ants prefer sweet foods above anything else.
These ants can live in debris, logs, and soil. They also might nest in holes at the base of trees and shrubs. Their nests are usually shallow.
These ants are an invasive species and they have developed a reputation for displacing native ants. They can be troublesome and are attracted to wet areas.
Because these bugs have multiple queens in their colonies, they breed quickly. In fact, it is not uncommon for their colonies to contain hundreds of thousands of worker ants.
These insects are drawn to waste and decay and spread germs. They transfer food from mouth to mouth, which means that baits are more effective than liquids and aerosols.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants live both indoors and outdoors in hollow, decaying, or moist wood. They don’t eat wood like termites. Instead, they remove wood and deposit the debris outside of the nests.
The ants will eat a variety of human food, especially meats and sweets. They will also eat other bugs. These ants dwell in both living and dead trees, rotting logs, and stumps. However, they can also build nests in buildings and homes where wood can be found.
When the carpenter ants make their nests, they dig out tunnels of wood. This can weaken the inside of the structure. A long-term infestation with a lot of colonies in a house usually means ugly cosmetic damage and severe structural damage.
Workers can be seen looking for food. Swarmers come about when a colony matures and is ready to start new colonies.
Ghost Ants
The ghost ant gets its name from its pale color and small size, making it hard to see. The ants have dark thoraxes and dark heads.
Ghost ants are similar to odorous house ants. These ants give off the smell of coconut when they’re crushed. These ants are tropical and reside in central and south Florida. They can easily sneak into boxes and potted plants.
Ghost ants eat honeydew that they get from plant-feeding insects. They usually tend aphids to collect food.
The workers also gather insects to feed the rest of the colony. When they are inside, these ants usually like to eat sweet food. When outside, these ants make their nest in the ground.
Sugar Ants
Also known as crazy ants, sugar ants are a common sight in homes in South Florida. While they don’t physically hurt people, these little red ants tend to infest cabinets and pantries. They love to swarm food.
They are orange and have black heads. These bugs walk in a line or trail and tend to dwell in moist places.
If you are suffering from sugar and parties, then you should contact a professional exterminator.
The Importance of Knowing About the Different Types of Ants in Florida (and How to Get Rid of Them!)
Hopefully, after reading the above article, you now understand the importance of knowing about the different types of ants in Florida and also how to get rid of them. As we can see, there are many different ants out there and they can’t all be treated the same way.
This is why it is important for you to identify the kind of ant you are dealing with and ask a professional how to best solve the problem.