Well, it’s well into June and if you’re a long time Florida resident you know what that means. It’s hurricane season. In fact, it started early this year and we’ve already seen the first one formed in the Atlantic. But massive storms and damage to your homes isn’t all you have to worry about. When the rains come, the bugs are going to need shelter too. And that means today we’re going to talk about Hurricane season ants, some of the species you can expect to see infesting homes in Florida, and how to prevent that.
Hurricane Season Ants: Why are the ants so bad in Florida?
If you’ve ever lived in the Southeastern U.S., you probably know how bad the ants can get. But the further south you go, the worse it becomes. And what do you know, we’re right down here at the bottom! But why is it that these ants love our sunny little state so much? It’s simple, really, for a lot of the same reasons you do!
Many of the species of ant we consider pests are invasive species to the continent, not too dissimilar from ourselves really. And being tropical species, once again like us, they love the warm sun, the open, grassy fields, and the abundance of heat and water.
And on top of that, the massive and ballooning population of the state leaves any pest species with more food than they can eat. When you have a thousand new residents a day, and new restaurants popping up on every corner with each needing a dumpster to throw their trash in, these ants have a virtually unlimited source of food thanks to us! So once they’re here and established, there’s really very few ways to shake them outside of a concerted effort: general cleanliness just isn’t enough anymore.
So the long and short of it is that we, as a state, have an ant problem. And that goes from Key West all the way up to the panhandle and beyond. So now, let’s go ahead and touch on some of the common home infesting species of hurricane season ants you’ll run across in the Sunshine State
Fire Ants-
If we’re going to start, let’s start with the heavyweight king of ants that infest human habitations. In fact, in the U.S., these may be the only species that present a danger to human life. That’s right, the famous fire ant is our first stop on our tour of Florida ants. These ants range from dark red to brownish black in coloration. And if you’ve ever come across them before, I’m sure you know where they get their names from.
Red fire ant bites burn and sting, the reason they got their name of course! These hurricane season ants also have vicious swarming tactics that they employ to defend their nest or take down prey much larger than themselves. They grab their target with their mandibles and sting in a circular pattern repeatedly into whatever they hold on to. Fire ant bites can be fatal to young children or those with allergies to their alkaline venom.
This species of pest ant prefers to create massive mounds in open, sunny fields that can stretch from 90 feet end to end underground. But they have no problem nesting in wall voids, old, rotting wooden beams, and in or around garden beds. Much like termites, these ants can chew on the wood in your home and cause extensive structural damage.
Ghost ants
The next ant on our list is a species that I’ve struggled with multiple times in the past. Also known as sugar ants, these are a tiny species. They have dark heads and white or translucent bodies, which makes them very difficult to spot- hence the name.
One of the big reasons this ant is such a bad home invader is their propensity to make multiple nests in a single home. Once a colony grows large enough, they send out a new queen to make a hive somewhere else, but close enough that they can work together.
These ants love sweets, sugars, and dry goods that you leave in your panty. They can easily chew through most packaging with their sharp teeth, and will even ruin your gardens by placing aphids on your plants to harvest the honeydew they suckle from the stems. Due to their wide ranging diets and propensity for creating multiple colonies in every house they invade, these are some of the hardest ants to get rid of.
White-Footed ants
Another small species of ant, yet one of the most common in South Florida, is the white–footed ant. They create large colonies that allow for incredible numbers of ants to exist in and around your home.
However, they do tend to nest outside thankfully. So keeping your house spotless and water pipes tight and not dripping will go a long way to keep this pest out of your home.
Hurricane Season Ants: What to do if you have an infestation?
Well, as I’m sure you gathered, hurricane season ants are a hard problem to get rid of by yourself. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a step or two to reduce their numbers while you can! As I mentioned above, the number one thing you’ll have to do is cut off their sources of food and water.
That means getting tightly locking garbage can lids, making sure your dishes in the dishwasher or sink are cleaned and put away quickly, and practicing general cleanliness to make sure you don’t leave behind any crumbs to sustain and grow the colony. Also, keep in mind that water is number one for any animal or insect. So keep your pipes tightly screwed so they don’t leak, and make sure to clean up any spills as soon as they happen.
But if you’re dealing with a real infestation, make sure to call a pest control specialist. Contact us at 1-800-634-1313 or visit our website at insectfree.com to get a free consultation today.
