The warm environment provided by Florida is favorable to many activities, but the same cannot be said of pests such as ants. Two of the most prevalent invaders homeowners encounter include the big-headed ants and sugar ants. Although both are troublesome, it is important to understand the difference between them to better control them.
This guide will assist you in determining the type of ant parading through your property. We will discuss their specific features, symptoms of their infestation, and preventive measures. Getting to know who your enemy is will be the first step towards repossessing your space from these mini insects.
What makes big-headed ants different from sugar ants in Florida?
Big-headed ants can be identified easily by their appearance. There are two different categories of laborers: major and minor workers. It is because the major workers have huge heads that are disproportionately large to their body size, thus their name. These ants are normally reddish-brown and differ in size.
Sugar ants are, however, more standardized in their appearance. Sugar ant is a popular name of several such ants and a nickname of some small ants attracted to sweets. In Florida, this is commonly known as either the ghost ant or the pharaoh ant, which are dark pale in color and tiny in size, making them hard to detect.
Learn more: 10 Different Types of Ants
Signs you’re dealing with big-headed ants
One of the easiest indicators of big-headed ants is the presence of foraging tracks. You may observe long and clear lines of these ants that would travel along baseboards, foundation walls, or along sidewalks. They are out looking for food supplies to take back to the colony and to mark visible routes.
The other subtle sign is the mess and waste they leave behind. Bigheaded ants establish nests in the ground, and frequently leave small heaps of sand or earth at points of entry into your house. You can encounter such piles in cracks in the road or at the border of your yard.
Signs you’re dealing with sugar ants
Sugar ants are so called because they love anything sweet. In case of an infestation, you are most likely to discover them in your kitchen and pantry or any food storage area. They can always be observed swarming around spilled sugars or honey, as well as uncovered food containers, leaving an obvious evidence of their presence.
Sugar ants differ from big-headed ants because they tend to make nests in the home. These are small and pale ants whose traces will be barely visible along counter properties, inside of cabinets, or near sinks. Due to their light color and size, their footprints can be more difficult to see, especially when you do not look carefully.
Other common Florida ants you should know about
Big-headed ants and sugar ants are among the most common, but other species of ants might be found in Florida. The ability to recognize them can assist you in learning about what kind of problem you are dealing with.
- Fire Ants: They are infamous for causing painful stings and one giant, mean mound in your lawn.
- Carpenter Ants: These are large, black ants that burrow into wood and will cause wood to weaken or be removed, depending on whether it’s repairing or removing weakened wood.
- Acrobat Ants: These ants hold their heart-shaped abdomen above their head when their body is disturbed.
- White-Footed Ants: Darkly colored ants with light-colored feet, which maintain large colonies.
How to prevent ant problems in your Florida home
The most effective, efficient way of dealing with ants is ensuring that they do not get into your house in the first place. Start by caulking any cracks on your foundation walls, windows, and doors. This easy act will seal off possible routes of access by feeding ants, which may be seeking an entry point.
Sanitation is also an important deterrent against ant infestation. Wipe up spills and crumbs as they happen, store food in airtight containers, and clean your trash out! By eliminating the food supply, you turn your house into a much less preferable place where the ants can settle and create an ant nest.
Making the right choice for ant control in Florida
When you already have an ant problem, the first step toward effective control is identification of the species. You can check 10 different types of ants that could be in your home.
Various ants are attracted to various baits and different ways of treatment. The colony of big-headed ants may not be affected by what could kill sugar ants; therefore, expedient identification is required.
To deal with chronic or extensive problems with infestations, one must call the pest control service. A professional can accurately determine the species of ant, locate the nest, and apply the treatment safely. This is to make sure the issue is tackled fully and that recurrence of the problem in the house does not occur.
