UF/IFAS Okeechobee County Extension Service
458 Highway 98 North
Okeechobee, FL 34972-2578
Phone: (863) 763-6469
E- mail: dfculbert@ifas.ufl.edu
Feature
Article - for release the week of
Dan
Culbert - Extension Horticulture Agent
White footed ants marching our way
As temperatures start to rise, homeowners may start to see increased numbers of critters starting to invade indoors spaces. One of the most difficult to control household pests is the White Footed Ant, a relatively new invader that is now suspected to be a problem in our area.
The bad news is that this Indonesian import has recently been found in nearly half of Florida’s counties. The good news is that recent UF research has developed a new liquid bait that will soon be available, just in time to battle an expected increase in activity of this challenging insect pest.
This
small black ant received much attention a couple of years ago. A native
of Southeast
Asia, the White-Footed Ant (WFA) was found in a Homestead plant nursery in
1986. Local pest control companies in our area have seen them in
Okeechobee. This year, there are now reports of Florida
infestations in Jacksonville area. These pests have also spread from
Florida to Columbia,
SC, Baton Rouge, LA, Savannah, GA, and Paradise Island, Bahamas.
White footed ants do not bite, sting or cause any structural damage to properties. They are very small, less that 1/8 inch long, and have light colored legs. They do not move around like Crazy ants, and are smaller than Argentine ants, both of which have dark legs.
They seem to appear from nowhere in large numbers in kitchens and bathrooms causing alarm to homeowners. They are strongly attracted to sugary food sources, and will often protect sap-sucking insects like aphids and scales that secrete honeydew.
University
of Florida student John Warner has conducted research on the bait preferences
of these insects. Warner also operates Shalom Pest Control in Boca
Raton, and reports he has received more calls from new customers about WFA
problems this year than in the past few years.
Homeowners who see trails of small black ants often coming from trees and shrubs and trailing up and down the sides of their homes should not wait to take action. Warner warns WFA problems get worse as the weather warms, increasing the high populations of this amazing ant.
Nests tend to be found outside more than inside. Indoors they nest in spaces between walls and in attics. Outdoor nests may be found:
-
in tree holes or on the underside of leaves
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on bushes
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under palm fronds and old leaf boots
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in loose mulch
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under debris such as newspaper, fallen coconuts, scrap wood, etc.
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in leaf-litter on the ground and in rain gutters
Actions that homeowners can take include cutting trees and shrubs away from their homes, and using lots of liquid ant bait (always maintain a sufficient, fresh supply).
Warner determined their favorite foods sources and matched them with various insecticides. His work has resulted in a new liquid bait for WFA called NecDewtm, which has been patented by the University of Florida, and will soon be released.
Insecticidal sprays directed against other sap sucking insects that produce the honeydew can also help. In cases of active ant trails in living areas, some temporary relief can result from using other contact sprays, but this kind of approach will rarely kill the colony. A more comprehensive approach will be needed.
Before using any ant killers inside, be sure it is LABELED for INDOOR use. Always be sure to follow the label directions when using insecticides.
Homeowners might not wish to tackle the difficult task of dealing with WFA. Instead, consider contacting local pest control companies. Consumers with WFA problems should ask around for a Pest Control company with a proven track record in controlling this ant.
Warner reports that many of his new customers had used other companies that were not able to control the WFA infestation. He suggests that homeowners become more informed about this ant before calling a pest control company.
I’ve
placed more information on our Okeechobee web page, http://okeechobee.ifas.ufl.edu.
If you need additional information on white footed ants, email us at okeechobee@ifas.ufl.edu
or call us at 863-763-6469. Local residents can stop by our office at
458 Hwy 98 North in Okeechobee, and visit our Okeechobee
County Master Gardeners on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 5 PM.
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Trade
names, where used, are given for the purpose of providing specific
information. They do not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of products
named, nor does it imply criticism of products not named. The Florida
Cooperative Extension Service - Institute of Food and Agricultural
Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to
provide research, educational information, and other services to individuals
and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age,
handicap, or national origin. Florida
Cooperative
Extension Service / IFAS /
University
of
Florida.
Larry
A. Arrington, Dean Last update: 05/12/2005
. This page is maintained by Dan
Culbert
For
More information:
McAvoy,
Gene. White-footed Ants - Our Newest Home
Warner,
J., ScheffrahnR.H.
and Cabrera, B.
White Footed Ant. [Featured
Creatures (EENY-273)]. Gainesville:
ibid. ENY635 Sept 2002. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/IN098. UF Extension Bulletin on WFAs.
Warner, J.R. Bait Preferences and Toxicity of Insecticides to White-Footed Ants. Technomyrmex albipes (HYMENOPTERA: FORMICIDAE). Gainesville: UF MS Thesis. May 2003 http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/%7Eortgedb/etdNew/jwarner1/Warner_J.pdf Technical background on new baitsWoods, Chuck UF Researcher Develops Bait To Stop Home Invasion Of Exotic White-footed Ants. Fort Lauderdale: UF/IFAS News, 07.10.2002. http://news.ifas.ufl.edu/story.php?id=604 Press Release