How Dangerous Is It To Have Ghost Ants In My Estero Home?

We all have an image in our minds about what ants typically look like. They are small, black, and regularly pick up and carry items that are much larger than themselves. That said, when ants don’t look like we expect them to, it raises concern. Take ghost ants as an example. These tiny, oddly colored insects look like they are up to no good. To help you identify ghost ants and understand what dangers they pose to the locals in Estero, here are some things to consider.

What Are Ghost Ants?

Ghost ants are named for their light coloration and the fact that they are harder to see while walking around homes. This insect is 1/16 of an inch long, has a dark head and thorax, a pale yellow abdomen, antennae, and legs. These invasive house pests are usually found in warm climates and are common here in southern Florida and in places like Hawaii.

Are Ghost Ants Dangerous?

Although a bit spooky to look at, ghost ants are not directly harmful to human health; this is to say, they do not bite or sting like fire ants. Ghost ants do, however, pick up bacteria on their legs while foraging inside and around area homes. More specifically, they pick up food-borne illnesses like salmonellosis from inside things like trash cans and then carry these disease-causing organisms to other food and surfaces throughout your home. 

What Attracts Ghost Ants?

Ghost ants are just like other area ants in that they scavenge for food to survive. Most often, nests of these pests are outside. If scouts wander indoors and find food or water, they will leave a pheromone trail behind to lead back other worker ants. If your living areas continue to provide tasty treats for these pests, they may build closer to your home to make traveling back and forth easier. If these pests learn to rely almost entirely on your home for their survival, you will find ghost ants indoors almost daily.

How To Get Rid Of Ghost Ants Naturally

If you are looking for how to get rid of ghost ants naturally, you only have a few options. To start, you can implement DIY prevention methods around your living areas to make your home less attractive and less accessible. Here are some ways to do this: 

• Fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using caulk.
• Address water buildup in and around your house.
• Make sure your gutters are in good working condition.
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures in and around your home.
• Use a dehumidifier indoors.
• Deep clean your house at least once a month and do your best to keep up with food messes and drink spills as they occur.
• Store leftover food and beverages in sealed containers.
• Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

One thing we should mention is that prevention methods only work so well. Ghost ants are incredibly small and can find food and moisture in tight spaces. If you want to guarantee these pests get and stay out of your Estero home, you need professional help.

How To Get Rid Of Ghost Ants For Good

If you are tired of finding ghost ants indoors and are looking for how to get rid of ghost ants for good, we have options for you here at Quest Termite & Pest Services. Our team is trained and certified by Dr. Bobby Corrigan, who is an expert in this field. 

Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive home pest control options and schedule your Estero home for a visit.