High Noon Ant Overview & Quick Facts
Keep ants out of your home or business with
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A Closer Look at High Noon Ants
Known for their midday activity and heat tolerance, High Noon Ants (Forelius pruinosus) are a fascinating but often overlooked species. Unlike most ants that avoid extreme heat, these tiny survivors thrive in the hottest part of the day—hence the name “High Noon Ant.”
🐜 What Do High Noon Ants Look Like?
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Color: Light brown to orangish-tan
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Size: Small—about 1.5–2.5 mm (1/16 inch)
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Body:
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Slender and fast-moving
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Fine hairs and a faint shine
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Monomorphic (workers are all similar in size)
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Sometimes mistaken for ghost ants due to their pale color and quick movement
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🌞 Why the Name “High Noon Ant”?
High Noon Ants are unusual in their behavior—they’re most active when temperatures peak, typically in the midday sun when other ants retreat underground. This helps reduce competition with other ant species.
🏜️ Where Are They Found?
High Noon Ants prefer hot, dry environments and are common in:
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Sandy soils and open ground
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Lawns, sidewalks, and rock gardens
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Edges of driveways and curbs
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Dry fields or scrublands
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Occasionally indoors, especially in wall voids or along baseboards
They are well adapted to Florida’s sunny climate and often go unnoticed due to their size and speed.
🍽️ What Do They Eat?
High Noon Ants are generalist foragers and scavengers. Their diet includes:
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Sweets like honeydew from aphids and scale insects
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Dead insects
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Grease and crumbs
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Occasionally pet food or kitchen scraps if indoors
🧠 Behavior Highlights
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Highly heat-tolerant
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Fast, coordinated foragers—often in wide trails
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Tolerant of dry conditions
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Known to coexist with or tend honeydew-producing pests, which can be an issue for garden plants
⚠️ Are High Noon Ants a Problem?
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They don’t sting or bite humans
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They’re not destructive, but can be annoying when indoors
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Their presence can indicate aphid or scale insect infestations in landscaping
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Control may be necessary if they become a nuisance in kitchens or patios
🧠 Fun Fact!
High Noon Ants’ ability to forage during scorching midday temperatures gives them a competitive advantage over other ant species that avoid heat. They’re some of the most heat-tolerant ants in North America!
Frequently Asked Questions
About High Noon Ants
What are High Noon Ants?
High Noon Ants are a small ant species known for their unusual behavior of foraging during the hottest part of the day, unlike most ants that avoid high midday heat. Their scientific name is Forelius pruinosus.
Why are they called “High Noon” ants?
Because they’re most active around noon, when temperatures are highest. While other ants hide from heat, these ants thrive in extreme sunlight and warmth, often seen scurrying on sidewalks and driveways in full sun.
What do High Noon Ants look like?
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Color: Pale orange to light brown
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Size: Very small—about 1.5–2.5 mm (1/16 inch)
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Shape: Slender, with fine hairs and a somewhat shiny appearance
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Movement: Very quick and coordinated in foraging trails
Where do High Noon Ants live?
They nest in:
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Dry, sandy soil
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Along sidewalk cracks and driveways
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In yards, gardens, or rocky terrain
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Occasionally inside wall voids, baseboards, or near door thresholds
They prefer hot, open areas with minimal shade.
What do High Noon Ants eat?
They’re omnivorous scavengers and eat:
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Honeydew from aphids and scale insects
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Dead insects
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Grease, crumbs, and sugary foods
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Occasionally pet food or pantry items
Are High Noon Ants dangerous?
No.
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They do not sting or bite
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They don’t damage wood or structures
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They may enter homes in search of food
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They can indirectly promote garden pests by protecting aphids or scales
Why are they hard to control?
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Their tiny size lets them slip through cracks
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They’re often active when it’s too hot for humans to notice them
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They may have multiple shallow nests spread across one area
How do I get rid of High Noon Ants?
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Seal entry points like cracks and thresholds
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Clean food spills and pet bowls quickly
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Control aphids or scale insects on plants
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Use ant baits appropriate for sweet- and grease-feeding species
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Consider professional pest control if nests are widespread
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!