Are Tampa ants invading your home this summer?
Down here in Tampa, we have a little bit of an ant problem. And if you’re one of millions of Floridians who are dealing with that problem, read on. We’ll cover what ant species they may be, how to keep them out of your home, and ways you can reduce your chances of an infestation.
What ant species are common in Tampa?
Florida is home to nearly twenty different species of ant. Many of them are nonnative and arrived either through shipping or tourism and hitching rides on boats. Unfortunately, once they get here, they thrive thanks to Florida’s subtropical environment. Not only that, but with twenty two million humans living here as well there’s plenty of waste and shelter for them to move into things like apartment complexes, town houses, and other shared living spaces.
The long and short of it is that any species of ant that arrives on our shores is going to thrive. That’s just the nature of our state. And as time goes on and the population grows and shipping and tourism increase, this is only going to continue.
So let’s touch on some of the species you may run across in the Sunshine State.
Fire Ants
I don’t like to beat around the bush, so we’ll start with the worst of the Tampa ants. This is also one of the few genuinely dangerous species that can infest your home. And that is the Red Imported Fire Ant. Their swarming nature and alkaline venom can overwhelm the immune system of toddlers and babies quite quickly, so if you have children, this becomes a doubly scary infestation.
These ants typically nest in the ground. The nests come in two forms generally. The first is a large mound that can be a few feet in diameter and low to the ground. Other times they can go over a foot into the air and look like a small volcano. Large colonies of fire ants can have over two hundred and fifty thousand very aggressive and active worker ants. Any animal that intrudes on a fire ant’s nest will be stung repeatedly.
Fire ants are omnivores. They’ll eat pretty much anything they can break down into small enough pieces. They’ll eat meats, greasy materials, sweet materials, and other small animals and insects primarily. And though not native to North America, this species has become a real problem in Tampa. But not only that, they now range from Florida to California.
Ghost Ants
Next on the list of Tampa ants is a species that I’ve dealt with personally a few times. Known as ghost ants, they get their name from their very small size and the pale color of their legs and abdomen. That makes them difficult to see at a glance. They have dark heads and thoraxes and are rarely over a millimeter long.
Another invasive species, these ants, have been in south and central Florida for a few years now. They are easily transported in boxes, crates, potted plants, and even in household goods that are being shipped. In northern states, these ants have been known to survive only in heated buildings and greenhouses.
These ants eat honeydew that they collect from plant-feeding insects. They often tend aphids to collect the honeydew. The workers also gather insects to feed the colony. When they are indoors, ghost ants usually prefer sweets.
How to keep Tampa Ants out of my house
Now, when you spot a line of ants walking across your counter or breaking from the windowsill don’t panic. The first thing you’re going to want to find is the source of the infestation. Follow the ants you see and clean up the source of whatever attracted them in the first place. If they’re not actually infesting the home yet, this may do the trick.
Also, make sure to check around your doors and windows for the rubberized coating underneath. If it’s old, damaged, or just gone you need to replace that. Also check for cracks in your foundations, around outside pipes, and near your water heater. Ants can easily access your home from any of these locations. Branches that overhang your house can do the same thing, so keep them trimmed back. Also, consider placing a gravel barrier between the lawn and the foundation of your home. The heat that it holds and the sharpness of the rocks can dissuade many insects.
And finally, make sure to check for any sources of water the ants may have access to. Be it water you splash from getting in and out of the tub, a leaky pipe under the sink, or some issue with your dishwasher. Many insects can go for very prolonged periods without food. Thankfully, very few can go without water for more than a handful of days. Cleaning up water sources makes it much harder for ants to establish colonies in your home.
Tampa Ant Exterminator
Now, if you already have an established ant population in your home, there’s not going to be a ton you can do. Being extremely clean and tidy will help. Make sure not to leave out crumbs or anything of the sort. The second you drop something, pick it up. Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink as well, as that can attract a myriad of bugs into your home while also making your ant problem worse.
Instead, you want to go with a professional pest control company. And choose one that uses natural methods. Chemical pesticides, especially when bought at the store and used by someone without training, is not only dangerous for you but for everyone. Improperly used, fast breeding insects like ants, cockroaches, and other filth feeders can mutate and develop immunities or resistance to pesticides. Pest control that relies on dangerous chemicals can also damage your property and present a health risk. Instead, feel free to visit us at insectfree.com or give us a call at 1-800-634-1313 for your free consultation, and trust a pest control company that’s been servicing the Tampa area for three decades.
