White Footed Ants
Technomyrmex albipes
Appearance:
White-footed ants are dark, usually black, in color. Their legs are very pale, giving rise to the name "white-footed".
Size:
1/8-inch long.
Behavior:
White-footed ants feed on plant nectars and honeydew produced on plants by aphids. They will also feed on dead insects and other protein. They are commonly found foraging along branches and tree trunks, and will send scouts out to lay trails to new food sources. They will enter structures through any small openings, and trail heavily on and in the building. They frequently are seen in kitchens and bathrooms, feeding on both liquid and solid foods that are found there.
Habitat:
White-footed ants build their nests at or above ground level in numerous locations around a home. They are frequently found in trees, bushes, under leaf litter, or in loose mulch around the exterior. Once inside your home, they are found in wall voids and attics. Their colonies are large, and they seem to be interconnected with other nests in the same area.
Unique Characteristics:
White-footed ants trail very heavily. They can be seen as a black line trailing up the side of a building.
Control:
Do you live in Florida and think that this ant may be invading your home? Hulett Environmental Services offers specialty pest control treatments designed to control and eliminate this pest!