Active Seasons
White-Footed Ants Appearance and Size Facts
At Hulett Environmental Services, we want to ensure you always have the tools necessary to rid your home of any unwanted pests, including white-footed ants. Primarily located in warmer climates, white-footed ants can be found in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Louisiana, creating a nuisance and risks of food/living space contamination for homeowners in these areas.
On the surface, white-footed ants look no different from any other ant you might run into. However, they do have some features that set them apart from other ants. Some of their key identifiers are:
- Black or brown
- Pale feet or tarsi
- Around 1/8 inch long
- No stinger
Identifying White-Footed Ants from Other Ants
White-footed ants look very similar to other ants at first glance, although their lighter feet may help you identify them from other species upon closer inspection. Additionally, white-footed ants form heavy trails, so you may be able to suspect a white-footed ant infestation if you see an ant colony forming an obvious black line as they file up the side of a building. However, identifying small ants can be a challenge – professional pest technicians, like the ones at Hulett, can help you make a full identification.
Behavior and Habitat of White-Footed Ants
Each colony has specific types of ants that fill a particular role. Three species of white-footed ants, difficult white-footed ants, Fijian white-footed ants, and white-footed house ants, are nearly impossible to distinguish without having scientific equipment handy, but will generally behave the same and create the same issues for homeowners.
Although white-footed ants don’t sting, and therefore, do not pose a direct threat to humans, their presence is unwanted, and they can facilitate the travel of bacteria. Colonies can range from anywhere between 8,000 to three million individuals. White-footed ants typically will stick to feeding on plant nectars and honeydew, but they have been known to eat bug carcasses.
They are most likely crawling around branches, trunks of trees, and shrubs. Foragers are sent out to find new sources of food. More often than not, they create trails that lead into kitchens and bathrooms, which then become an infestation. White-footed ant nests are often located near houses, usually above ground. Once they find their way into your home, nestmates leave trail pheromones so other foragers can follow the same path.
Signs of Infestation of White-Footed Ants
Since white-footed ants travel in large colonies, spotting an infestation is fairly easy. Keep an eye out for long trails going to and from their nesting places. These pests are excellent at reproducing quickly and building colonies.
While any pest infestation is undesirable, white-footed ants are a prolific species that can quickly establish a troublesome colony in or around your home. If you suspect you might have an infestation, give the pest control experts at Hulett Environmental a call or schedule your free home inspection now!
Tips for Prevention of White-Footed Ants
Preventing white-footed ants from entering your home is easier than you may think. The most effective ways to minimize the chances of an infestation include:
- Keep food items secure
- Practice effective waste disposal
- Keep pet food off of the floors
- Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed
- Caulk any visible cracks around windows and doors
Getting Rid of White-Footed Ants
While there are some things you can do to prevent white-footed ants from moving in, the only way to fully eradicate an active infestation is with professional help. Luckily for you, Hulett provides ant control as well as ant prevention solutions to defend your home against further infestations. To get started, be sure to schedule a free inspection of your home so our ant exterminators can help!
Effective White-Footed Ant Control Solutions
If you observe indications of a white-footed ant infestation or are dealing with any other pest infestation, just call Hulett for assistance! Our pest control solutions are designed to eliminate your ant issues and utilize green pest control methods to help you maintain a happy and healthy home.
We’ve provided South Florida with effective pest control solutions for over 50 years, so you can trust you’re in good hands. Make sure to just call Hulett today!
White-Footed Ant Gallery
