Pest Expert Overview: Ghost Ants in Bryan & College Station
Ghost ants, Tapinoma melanocephalum, are tiny, pale brown and white ants that are rapidly becoming more common in Texas. Ghost ants are so widespread that their native range is unknown, though it’s thought to be Africa or The Orient because of their tropical nature. They were first reported in the United States in 1887 when they were found in Hawaii.
These ants made their way into Texas sometime in the 1990s. Researchers at Texas A&M first found them around 1995 and think they arrived in Galveston with a shipment of plants from Florida.
Ghost ants are highly adaptable and can settle into a new area quickly. When the nests are disturbed the worker ants move erratically. Ghost ants smell like coconut when they’re crushed.
Life Cycle
Ghost ants eat sweet items and dead insects. They’re drawn to the honeydew of aphids, syrups, sweet cereals, and produce. They can be found both indoors and outdoors.
They’re one of the most common pests found in kitchens and bathrooms. Nests indoors can be found in voids between walls, baseboards and cabinets. Outdoors, nests can be in virtually any sheltered area. There is no mound, instead, they use natural shelters.
Colonies of ghost ants include more than one queen and up to 1,000 members. Having several queens makes it easy for them to form new nests. One queen and several workers will leave the nest to form a new colony nearby.
Why are they Pests?
Ghost ants can’t sting and rarely bite, even so, their high numbers make them a serious nuisance. Additionally, they drive out native ant species because they’re very efficient at reproducing and gathering resources.
They’re known to move frequently, making it difficult to find and eradicate the colony.
Ghost Ant Prevention
As with most ants, Ghost ants prefer high moisture, so limit irrigation and keep heavy foliage away from the house. Ghost ants get into buildings easily because they are so small. Make sure to repair cracks around entrances such as doors and windows.
Professional Ghost Ant Control
If you are dealing with an infestation of ghost ants, Venus Pest Company can help. Founded by Aggie Entomologist Dr. Scott Lingren, we provide expert, eco-friendly Integrated Pest Management solutions in Bryan and College Station. To get started, fill out the contact form, call/text 979.774.0486 or email [email protected]. Don’t let nuisance pests take over your home!
