How to Get Rid of Ghost Ants

If you've ever encountered Ghost Ants in your home, you know how frustrating and persistent they can be. Popular in hot humid locations like Florida, Texas, and Hawaii, they are known to form new colonies rapidly and invade homes. Sometimes you will see them carrying their brood, eggs, pupae in straight lines throughout the home. In this step-by-step guide, we'll show you how to identify and eliminate ghost ants effectively.

Step 1: Identifying Ghost Ants

Before you can tackle an ant problem, it's essential to correctly identify the type of ant you're dealing with. They are small ants, measuring about 1/16th of an inch in length. As with all ants they have 3 body parts, head, thorax and abdomen. One key differentiator between Ghost ants and other species like odorous house ants and pharaoh ants, is they have pale legs and a dark-colored abdomen that appears almost transparent, hence their name.

Step 2: Locating the Nest

Once you've identified the presence of ghost ants indoors, the next step is to locate their nest. They typically build nests near moisture sources such as sinks, bathrooms, wall voids, potted plants or damp areas. Look for trails along of foraging ants on the ground along the baseboards leading back to their nest. They are known to change their nesting habits, ant nests will start outside in plants and leaf litter, and then create a satellite or new nest inside.

Step 3: Eliminating Food Sources

Ghost Ants are attracted to sweet foods. To discourage them from entering your home, make sure all food items are stored properly in sealed containers and clean up any food residues

Step 4: Treatments Options

Liquid bait and Granular baits are an effective way to eliminate entire ant colonies. Place ant bait stations near the areas where they have been seen or along their trails. The worker ants will carry the bait back to the colony, ultimately eradicating it.

Step 5: Sealing Entry Points

To prevent future infestations, it's crucial to seal off any entry points that ghost ants may be using to enter your home. Inspect windows, doors, and cracks in the foundation walls for potential entry points and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.

Step 6: Regular Maintenance

Even after successfully eliminating ghost ants from your home, it's essential to maintain a clean and ant-free environment. Regularly clean up spills, taking our garbage bins regularly, and address any moisture issues promptly to prevent future infestations. Keep an eye out for any signs of these ants, as they have the ability to reproduce quickly. Remove any leaves, plants with loose bark, and logs away from foundational walls.

By following these steps, you can effectively identify and eliminate ghost ants from your home. Remember to remain vigilant and take preventive measures to ensure a pest-free environment. If the infestation persists or becomes overwhelming, it may be best to consult with a professional pest control service for further assistance.

Ghost ants can be one of the most difficult ants to eliminate, and sometimes professional help is needed. If you are in need of professional home protection, give us a call!