Ants
Ants are the social insects that trail across South Florida kitchens, bathrooms and patios, and a handful of invasive species, such as the bigheaded ant, the ghost ant and the white-footed ant, cause most of the calls. Because many of these ants live in huge colonies with several queens and nests spread across a property, identifying the species is the first step to getting rid of them.
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What Are Ants?
Ants are social insects that live in organized colonies with queens, workers and, at certain times of the year, winged males and females called swarmers or alates. Workers leave the nest to find food and water, lay down chemical scent trails (pheromones) and recruit nestmates to whatever they find, which is why one ant on the counter can turn into a line of hundreds within an hour.
South Florida is one of the hardest places in the country to keep ants under control. The warm, humid climate lets colonies stay active all year, and several of the ants that cause the most trouble in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys arrived from other parts of the world. The white-footed ant, for example, was first collected in Florida at a Homestead nursery in 1986, and by 2004 it had been confirmed in 22 Florida counties.
Many of these invasive ants share traits that make them hard to control. Their colonies have multiple queens (polygyny), spread out over several nests, and form new colonies by “budding,” when queens walk off with a group of workers to start a new nest nearby. UF/IFAS lists budding species among the hardest ants to control. Spraying the trail you can see rarely reaches the queens.
How to Identify Ants
All ants have three body regions (head, thorax and abdomen), six legs, elbowed antennae and a narrow, pinched waist. To tell South Florida species apart, pay attention to:
- Size. Is the ant tiny (1 to 3 mm) or large (5 mm or more)?
- Color. Is it one color, two-toned or pale?
- Behavior. Does it march in neat trails or run around erratically?
- Where it nests. Is it coming from soil, a wall, a potted plant or a tree?
Flying ants vs. termite swarmers. Winged ants and termites both swarm in spring and during the rainy season, and they are easy to confuse. According to UF/IFAS, ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and front wings that are longer than the hind wings. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a thick body with no waist and two pairs of wings of equal length that are much longer than the body. Color is not a reliable clue. If you find winged insects or piles of shed wings indoors, save a few in a sealed bag and see our termite guide.
Ant Species in South Florida
Bigheaded Ant
Pheidole megacephala. Small reddish-brown workers about 2 mm long, plus a few "majors" (3 to 4 mm) with oversized heads. UF/IFAS reports that pest control operators consider it the most pervasive nuisance ant in southern Florida, where it has displaced fire ants and white-footed ants in many areas. It nests in soil and leaves piles of loose, sandy soil along sidewalks, patios and lawn edges. Its fragile foraging tubes can look like termite mud tubes.
Ghost Ant
Tapinoma melanocephalum. A tiny ant, about 1.3 to 1.5 mm long, with a dark brown head and thorax and a pale, almost see-through abdomen and legs. It loves sweets and nests in wall voids, behind baseboards and cabinets, in potted plants and at the base of palm fronds. Colonies have many queens and spread by budding.
White-Footed Ant
Technomyrmex difficilis. Black to brownish-black, 2.5 to 3 mm long, with yellowish-white feet. Colonies range from about 8,000 to 3 million ants, with nests in trees, shrubs, palm fronds, mulch, gutters, wall voids and attics. It does not bite or sting, but it forages in kitchens and bathrooms. UF research found baits to be the only effective management method in lab tests.
Crazy Ants
The longhorn crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis) is dark brown to blackish, 2.3 to 3 mm long, with very long legs and antennae, and runs in a fast, erratic way. The tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva, once called the Caribbean crazy ant) has been reported in Miami, Coral Gables, Homestead, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, often in large numbers.
Florida Carpenter Ant
Camponotus floridanus, often called the "bull ant." Workers are 5.5 to 10 mm long, with a rusty-orange head and thorax and a black abdomen. It forages mainly at night, nests in voids in walls, window frames and attics, and bites but does not sting. Unlike northern carpenter ants, it does not excavate sound wood.
Red Imported Fire Ant
Solenopsis invicta. The most notorious of the two fire ant species found in Florida (the other is the native, or tropical, fire ant, Solenopsis geminata). It builds mounds of loose soil in sunny lawns, including St. Augustine grass, and along sidewalks and road edges, and workers sting repeatedly when the mound is disturbed.
You may also run into pharaoh ants, Argentine ants, pyramid ants and acrobat ants, which UF/IFAS includes among the ants Florida homeowners encounter. A correct identification matters because each species prefers different foods and baits.
Signs of an Ant Problem
- Trails of ants along baseboards, countertops, window sills, door frames or bathroom fixtures.
- Ants in sugar, pet food, fruit bowls or the dishwasher.
- Small piles of loose, sandy soil along sidewalks, pavers or the edge of the lawn (often bigheaded ants).
- Dome-shaped mounds of soil in the lawn that boil with ants when touched (fire ants).
- Winged ants indoors, especially around windows and lights in the evening.
- Large ants walking around the kitchen at night (often Florida carpenter ants).
- Ants climbing trees, palms or hedges and tending aphids, mealybugs, scales or whiteflies.
- Ants coming out of potted plants or from behind baseboards and cabinets.
Why Ants Are a Problem
For most South Florida species, the problem is nuisance and contamination. Ghost ants, white-footed ants and bigheaded ants do not sting and do not cause structural damage, but they invade food, crawl over counters, bathrooms and appliances and keep coming back. In restaurants, hospitals, hotels and other commercial facilities, ants in food or patient areas are a serious problem for health inspections and reputation. In 1990, for example, hundreds of tawny crazy ants were found on the second floor of a large Miami hospital.
Fire ants are a health concern. The CDC explains that their stings inject venom that causes a burning sensation, and that red bumps can develop into white, fluid-filled pustules within a day or two. People who are allergic to insect venom can have anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. Get emergency medical care right away for symptoms such as severe chest pain, nausea, severe sweating, loss of breath, serious swelling or slurred speech.
Ants also cause problems in the landscape. Many species protect honeydew-producing insects, such as aphids, mealybugs, scales and whiteflies, from their natural enemies. That can make plant pest problems on ficus hedges, palms and ornamentals worse.
Where Ants Hide in South Florida Homes and Businesses
- Wall voids and cabinets. Ghost ants, white-footed ants and carpenter ants nest inside walls, behind baseboards and between cabinets, then come out through tiny cracks and gaps around plumbing.
- Potted plants. Ghost ants often nest in the soil of indoor and patio plants.
- Palms, trees and hedges. White-footed ants and ghost ants nest at the base of palm fronds, in tree cavities and in thick shrubs that touch the house, then use branches as bridges onto the roof.
- Mulch and leaf litter. Thick mulch beds against the foundation hold moisture and shelter many species.
- Under pavers, slabs and walkways. Bigheaded ants nest in soil under bricks, slabs and flower pots and along the base of walls and water pipes.
- Attics and gutters. White-footed ants nest in rain gutters and attics, and Florida carpenter ants nest in attics and window frames.
- Lawns and road edges. Fire ants build mounds in sunny, open areas, including lawns, parks, sports fields and sidewalk edges.
- High-rises and condos. In buildings with many units, colonies can spread through shared walls, pipe chases and planters, so one unit’s treatment may not be enough.
When Ants Are Most Active in South Florida
| Season | Ant activity | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| January to March (dry season) | Colonies stay active in the mild weather; ghost ants and white-footed ants keep foraging indoors for water and sweets | Fix leaks, seal cracks and keep food in sealed containers. |
| April to June | Florida carpenter ant complaints peak during the spring swarm, usually April through June; colonies grow quickly | Save any winged insects for identification so termites are not missed. |
| May to October (rainy season) | Florida carpenter ants swarm in the evening and at night during the rainy season (May through November); fire ant mounds and bigheaded ant soil piles are easy to spot in lawns | Trim plants away from the house and schedule outdoor treatments. |
| November to December | Ants remain active year-round in South Florida's warm climate | Keep up regular service so colonies do not rebuild. |
How to Prevent Ants
- Store food tightly. Keep sugar, cereal, pet food and fruit in sealed containers, and wipe up crumbs and spills right away.
- Take away water. Fix dripping faucets, leaking pipes and AC condensate problems, and do not let water sit in plant saucers.
- Seal entry points. Caulk cracks and holes around pipes, wires, windows and doors. White-footed ants can fit through extremely small openings, and UF/IFAS notes that sealing cracks and holes can stop most invasions.
- Trim vegetation. Cut back ficus hedges, palm fronds and tree branches that touch the walls or roof.
- Thin the mulch. Keep mulch beds thin and pulled back from the foundation.
- Control plant pests. Fewer aphids, scales, mealybugs and whiteflies on your plants means less honeydew to feed ants.
- Check plants before bringing them inside. Look at the soil and base of new potted plants for ants.
- Avoid spraying trails. Repellent sprays may scatter some species. Extension specialists warn, for example, that pyrethroid sprays appear to make pharaoh ant colonies fragment and spread.
How Toro Gets Rid of Ants
- InspectionA Toro technician inspects inside and outside your home or business, follows the trails and finds where the ants are nesting, whether that is a wall void, a palm, a mulch bed or the lawn.
- Species identificationWe identify the ant, because ghost ants, bigheaded ants, white-footed ants, crazy ants, carpenter ants and fire ants each respond to different baits and treatments.
- Targeted treatmentWe treat the nests, trails and entry points with products chosen for that species and applied according to their label directions, inside and around the perimeter. For fire ants and lawn ants, ask about our lawn spray service.
- Follow-up and preventionWe recommend changes that keep ants from coming back, such as sealing gaps and trimming plants, and schedule follow-up visits. Our 110% Satisfaction Guarantee means that if the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you.
Toro Pest Management has protected South Florida homes and businesses since 1969, from single-family homes in Hialeah to high-rises in Miami Beach and restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. We respond within 24 hours, guaranteed, the first inspection is free and new customers get $25 off their first service. Call 305-594-4767. Hablamos Español.
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Schedule Your Free InspectionAnts: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common ants in South Florida homes?
The bigheaded ant, the ghost ant, the white-footed ant, crazy ants, the Florida carpenter ant and the red imported fire ant are the species South Florida homeowners see most. University of Florida researchers report that pest control operators now consider the bigheaded ant the most pervasive nuisance ant in southern Florida, and a UF/IFAS specialist placed it first on a tentative list of the most problematic pest ants around South Florida buildings.
Are ants in South Florida dangerous?
Most household ants in South Florida, such as ghost ants and white-footed ants, do not sting and are considered nuisance pests. Fire ants are the exception. Their stings burn, and the CDC notes that red bumps can turn into white, fluid-filled pustules within a day or two. People who are allergic to the venom can have a severe reaction and need emergency care for symptoms like chest pain, serious swelling or trouble breathing.
Why do I keep getting tiny ants in my kitchen?
Tiny ants in a South Florida kitchen are usually ghost ants, white-footed ants or bigheaded ants. They are attracted to sweets, crumbs, grease and water, and they follow scent trails from nests in wall voids, potted plants or the yard outside. Because these species often have many nests and many queens, killing the workers you see does little unless the colonies themselves are treated.
Do Florida carpenter ants damage wood?
Usually not. UF/IFAS explains that Florida carpenter ants do not excavate sound wood the way the black carpenter ant of northern states does. They move into existing voids or soft materials, such as rotten wood and foam insulation. A carpenter ant colony inside a wall can still point to a moisture or wood decay problem worth checking.
How can I tell flying ants from termite swarmers?
Look at three things. Ants have elbowed antennae, a pinched waist and front wings that are longer than the hind wings. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a thick body with no waist and two pairs of wings of equal length that are much longer than the body. If you are not sure, save a few insects in a sealed bag and have a professional identify them.
Can I get rid of ants myself?
You can reduce ants by storing food in sealed containers, fixing leaks, trimming plants away from the house and sealing cracks. Store-bought sprays, however, only kill the workers they touch. Many South Florida species live in colonies with multiple queens and satellite nests, and some need repeated treatments of the lawn and landscape several times a year, which is why stubborn infestations usually need a professional plan.
How long does it take to get rid of ants?
It depends on the species and the size of the infestation. Baits work slowly because workers have to carry them back to the colony, and UF/IFAS notes that baiting bigheaded ants can take several weeks to reduce populations significantly. Lawns and landscaped areas may also need follow-up treatments, especially when neighboring properties are infested.
Related Pests
Pest Control Across South Florida
Toro treats ants in homes and businesses throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, including:
- Miami
- Hialeah
- Doral
- Miami Beach
- Coral Gables
- Homestead
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Pembroke Pines
- Miramar
- Boca Raton
- West Palm Beach
Last updated: October 29, 2026
