White-Footed Ants: Another Foreign Pest Invades South Florida Households

Originating in Indonesia, white-footed ants are world travelers. Their most recent destination is, unfortunately, right here in South Florida.

First identified here in the 1980s, this species has become a major household pest because of its tendency to establish colonies in the immediate vicinity of a residence, such as the yard or inside the residence itself. Compared to most indigenous ants, white-footed ants establish colonies that are often substantially larger. Once these nests are created around or inside a house, they can be extremely difficult to remove by standard do-it-yourself methods. Professional treatment is usually required.

About 1/10 to 1/8 of an inch in length, the white-footed ant has a brownish-black body with yellowish or white legs. It may be confused with the common yellow-legged “crazy ant” that inhabits south Florida in large numbers. The white-legged ant is not a burrower and always nests above ground. Favored nesting spots include beneath palm fronds and other fallen organic debris like coconuts, scrap wood and paper. Inside the home, they will establish colonies inside wall voids and in other concealed locations like attics and crawl spaces.

Outdoors, white-footed ants consume plant nectars as well as the honeydew discharge left behind by aphids and other sap-sucking insects. Inside your home, they’re attracted to any sweet foods or liquids stored in your kitchen or spilled anywhere in the house. Once a forager ant has discovered a source of sugary food, large numbers of ants from the colony are quickly alerted and follow the trail to the scene.

The professional pesticides and procedures required to evict a colony of white-footed ants are part of the control strategy offered by Haggerty Pest Control. A combination approach including the use of baits and pesticides applied both outdoors and inside the home is often necessary. To be fully effective, treatment often extends over a span of time.

Since 1985, Haggerty Pest Service has protected South Florida homeowners  from insect and vermin infestations including white-footed ants. Call us today for an inspection of your home and yard.

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