How do you identify and get rid of a persistent ghost ant issue?
What Do Ghost Ants Look Like?
Ghost ants are super small and multi-colored.
The Spruce / Michela Buttignol
Ghost ants have the following characteristics:
What Is a Thorax?
Generally speaking, insects have three primary body segments: the head, thorax, and abdomen.
The head is easy to find and has antennae, eyes, and jaws (mandibles).
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Ant control products available to homeowners for over-the-counter purchase are repellent products, which are agitating to ant colonies.
Trim Back Vegetation
Ghost ants are very deliberate and persistent trailers.
Seek to keep a plant-free border around the foundation.
Don’t Bring Them In
Be careful bringing potted plants inside the home.
Ghost ants have been known to nest in the soil beneath potted plants.
It is easy to bring them inside by mistake without noticing.
attempt to avoid bringing potted plants inside whenever possible.
Reduce Food Sources
Many species of ants, including ghost ants, love sweets.
Meticulous cleanliness is one of the most important steps in interior ant control.
Tip
Still seeing ants?
Think outside the box.
Vacuum out the couch and tidy under furniture to ensure no food messes are left uncleaned.
Moisture issues present a number of issues when it comes to controlling ants.
If you’re wanting to attempt a DIY treatment, use a gel bait rather than a chemical spray.
If you have placed bait but ants are not feeding on it, move it to another area.
Don’t be afraid to experiment a little.
Just ensure your experiments don’t involve spraying anything.
Gel baits are sweet and are designed to attract ants.
Keep this in mind when deciding where to place your bait.
In IPM, control measures are tailored around the specific circumstances present at each home.
Their trails are slow and deliberate unless they are disturbed.
Trailing workers have been known to move rapidly and erratically in response to disturbances in their activity.
Though they prefer being outdoors, ghost ants are highly mobile and are opportunistic in their nesting habits.
Most commonly, this activity occurs in wall voids.
Keep an eye on the vegetation around your property.
verify ghost ants aren’t using it as a bridge (or highway) to access your house.
Don’t look too closely for active trails, but instead, just look for movement.
Even in daylight, some extra light can really help ant activity stand out.
When inspecting around your home, pay special attention to the foundation and gutters.
Ants are commonly found trailing in these areas.
What Causes Ghost Ants?
Ghost ants are a tropical ant thought to be Oriental or African in origin.
If they find a favorable spot, they’ll move in quickly.
Start by keeping the plants, trees, and other vegetation trimmed back from your home.
Once vegetation is trimmed back, confirm there aren’t food and water sources available for ghost ants.
Ghost Ants vs. Other Budding Ants
It is very easy to misidentify ants.
