As a South Floridian homeowner, you probably know more about ants than you care to, as the tropical climate you enjoy supports over 200 ant species. While not all of these ant species are considered nuisance household pests, you have also probably encountered some of the usual suspects including white-footed ants, Florida carpenter ants, crazy ants, fire ants, ghost ants and other pesky foragers that enter your home in search of food. Now, it seems, there is another contender on the horizon for the most annoying pest title. According to the University of Florida's (UF) press release, UF researchers are concerned about the discovery of a "new invasive ant species in south Florida." A Madagascar native, the little yellow ant, Plagiolepis alluaudi, "is already invasive in several Caribbean Islands, including Barbados, St. Lucia and Nevis, among others," said Thomas Chouvenc, UF/IFAS Assistant Professor of Entomology. Chouvenc said that in addition to the Caribbean, the little yellow ant has also been detected in Hawaii and Australia. First US sighting of yellow ants occurred in a Ft. Lauderdale neighborhood Discovered in early 2017 in the Riverland neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, Chouvenc said this is the first sighting of the little yellow ant in the continental US, but that "over a period of six months, the big headed ants that were dominant in that area were apparently displaced by this tiny yellow ant, which was quite surprising." Based at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center in Fort Lauderdale, Chouvenc revealed that subsequent surveys indicated that yellow ants may have been establishing a presence for "several years without being detected." What does this mean to South Florida homeowners? On the upside, the little yellow ant does not bite or sting; however, these ants are so small that they can reach extremely high population densities before being detected which can cause them to become difficult to control. Like many invasive species, little yellow ant populations can grow rapidly into super colonies "due to their intricate nesting system with multiple queens," Chouvenc said, adding that because little yellow ants go undetected for such a long time, by the time that they are noticed, colonies containing upwards of three million members can spread out in a network of nests that are difficult to control. Hurricane Irma may have contributed to the yellow ant's infestation in the Riverland area Researchers think that because Hurricane Irma's winds and rain flung massive amounts of plant debris around as she wound through South Florida, little yellow ants from the Caribbean may have been dispersed to the Riverland area during and after the storm. Chouvenc said that because the little yellow ant is a tropical species, the hope is that this species will be contained to South Florida. However, Chouvenc indicated that "looking at the patterns of invasive ants in the southeast US over the past 50 years, it may be a small ant, but is still going to be a big problem." Researchers found that baits can knock out home infestations temporarily In the Riverland neighborhood, researchers found little yellow ant nests in dead vegetation that included dead branches on living trees, as well as dead wood as small as twigs, lying on the surface of the soil. Eventually, researchers detected little yellow ant foragers inside a home and used baits to stop the infestation. While baits worked to initially control the home infestation, within a week the home was reinfested with little yellow ants, as the bait only affected a small percentage of the foraging ants and had no effect on the established population outside the home. Chouvenc speculated that homeowners could regularly bait little yellow ants "with sweet bait liquids but in areas with high ant densities, recurrent infestations may be unavoidable," saying that little yellow ants are probably another invasive ant species "that will cause homeowners problems down the road." Also, researchers speculate that because little yellow ants are attracted to insects like aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects, all of which produce honeydew, this invasive species may potentially impact agriculture by harming crops and ornamental plants. UF/IFAS plans to publish more information about the little yellow ant as they learn more about its habits and potential impact on homeowners, the industry, and the environment. Contact a licensed pest control professional In the meantime, Hulett suggests that homeowners contact a licensed professional pest control company to tackle ant infestations, especially large ant populations that involve a network of nests. South Florida's owned and operated Hulett Environmental Services utilizes an integrated pest management system that uses environmentally conscious methods and materials to manage pests in and around your home. Under the direction of a Graduate Entomologist for over 35 years, Hulett technicians are trained and licensed in the most current and effective materials on the market. Using granular and gel baits, our professional staff addresses the source of your infestations: the nest, or nests, and the queens. Once the queens are gone, the colony collapses. Strategic bait placement and skill in locating nests are some of the ways Hulett can save homeowners a lot of money, time, and peace of mind. Homeowners can do a number of things to prevent household pest infestations Little yellow ants, like some other ant species, are attracted to sweet, sugary substances in your home. Making your home inaccessible to little yellow ants and other household pests begins with:
- Excluding pests by sealing or caulking entryways, such as cracks and crevices in your foundation and around doors and windows
- Regularly cleaning all surfaces where sugar and sweets are consumed in your kitchen and dining areas
- Storing all dried goods in glass, metal or hard plastic containers with air-tight lids
- Keeping pet bowls cleaned between feedings
- Eliminating clutter and debris from the interior and exterior of your home- Get that Hurricane debris picked-up.
Hulett's Healthy Home program helps prevent pests with regular treatments and monitoring Keep little yellow ants and other household pests away from your loved ones and off your property. Hulett's Healthy Home program involves pet and people-friendly pest prevention protocols that create a pest barrier around your property. We quickly deal with any current infestations and monitor pest prone areas for any sign of further pest activity. We are so confident you will be so satisfied with your Hulett Healthy program, we guarantee it! Protect your home and loved ones from little yellow ants and all household pest invasions. Just call Hulett!
