Ghost Ant Overview & Quick Facts
Keep ants out of your home or business with
effective identification and control strategies.
A Closer Look at Ghost Ants
Tiny, fast, and hard to see — ghost ants are a common nuisance in Florida and other humid regions. Their nearly translucent bodies and quick movement give them a “ghostly” appearance, making them one of the trickiest home invaders to detect and control.
🐜 What Do Ghost Ants Look Like?
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Head & thorax: Dark brown
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Gaster, legs & antennae: Pale, almost translucent
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Size: Very small — only about 1.3 to 1.5 mm (1/16 inch)
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Body:
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Tiny and hard to spot
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No stinger, but may emit a musty odor when crushed
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They often appear as “tiny specs that vanish” when you try to look closely — hence the name “ghost ant.”
🏠 Where Do Ghost Ants Live?
Ghost ants thrive in moist, warm environments, such as:
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Inside homes: kitchens, bathrooms, behind baseboards, under sinks, in wall voids
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Outside: under rocks, in soil, mulch beds, flowerpots, and woodpiles
They often migrate indoors during rainy seasons or when searching for food and water.
🍬 What Do Ghost Ants Eat?
They are sugar-loving omnivores, and their diet includes:
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Sweets (syrup, soda spills, fruit juice)
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Proteins (insects, grease, pet food)
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Honeydew from aphids and mealybugs (outdoors)
They tend to forage in trails, often leading to kitchens and pantries.
⚠️ Why Are Ghost Ants a Problem?
Ghost ants:
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Invade in large numbers
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Are difficult to detect and follow due to their size and pale bodies
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Contaminate food and surfaces
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Nest in multiple, hard-to-reach places, making treatment tricky
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Can split into multiple colonies when disturbed (a process called budding)
🧠 Behavior & Reproduction
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Form multi-queen colonies, which makes them resilient to partial treatments
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Capable of rapid colony growth
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Can reproduce and spread quickly, both indoors and outdoors
🧠 Fun Fact!
Ghost ants are sometimes called “tramp ants” because they hitch rides in plant pots, boxes, and other household items — helping them spread to new locations quickly and stealthily.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Ghost Ants
Why are they called Ghost ants?
Ghost ants get their name from their pale, almost see-through legs and abdomen, which make them difficult to spot — especially on light surfaces. Combined with their tiny size and fast movement, they often seem to “disappear” when you look closely.
What do Ghost ants look like?
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Size: Tiny — about 1.3 to 1.5 mm (1/16 inch)
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Head & thorax: Dark brown
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Abdomen & legs: Pale or translucent
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No stinger, but they may emit a faint musty odor when crushed
Where are Ghost ants found?
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Indoors: Kitchens, bathrooms, under sinks, inside wall voids, behind baseboards
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Outdoors: Under mulch, rocks, plant pots, logs, or landscaping debris
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Thrive in warm, humid climates, especially in Florida and the southeastern U.S.
Do Ghost ants sting or bite?
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No sting
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May bite, but the bite is harmless and rarely felt
What do Ghost ants eat?
Ghost ants are sugar-loving omnivores. They feed on:
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Sweets (syrup, fruit juice, candy)
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Grease and protein (meats, pet food, dead insects)
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Honeydew from aphids and mealybugs (when outdoors)
Are Ghost ants harmful?
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They do not cause structural damage or transmit disease
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They are nuisance pests that can:
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Contaminate food
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Invade homes in large numbers
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Reproduce rapidly and split into multiple colonies if disturbed
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Why are Ghost ants hard to control?
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They form multiple nests and have many queens
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Colonies can bud, creating new nests when disturbed
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They nest in hidden spaces, making DIY control difficult
How can I prevent Ghost ants?
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Seal cracks and gaps in your foundation and around doors/windows
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Fix leaks and reduce moisture indoors and out
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Keep food sealed, clean up spills quickly
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Store pet food properly and keep feeding areas clean
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Consider professional pest control for long-term results
Struggling with ants in your home or yard? Whether it's fire ants, carpenter ants, ghost ants, or any other species, Hannan Environmental Services offers expert ant control and prevention throughout South Florida. Our trained technicians provide safe, effective, and long-lasting solutions to keep your home pest-free. Contact us today for reliable service you can trust! Feel free to also reach out to Hannan Environmental Services on Facebook!