White-footed ants are prolific reproducers and can produce colonies and even supercolonies that can house tens of thousands and up to millions of ants on your Humble, TX property, with up to 1/3 of them actively reproducing. These ants are found in different places around the U.S., mainly in Florida, but also in Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, and South Carolina.
White footed ant colonies release winged female and male reproducing ants from their colony during mating season, and they will mate to create an entire new colony. Males die after mating, and the female will die more than a year later, after founding one or more colonies.
Generally speaking, ants are among the most hearty, resilient, and adaptable insects around, and most species can be difficult to get rid of once they’re indoors. It’s a good idea to know what type of ants you’re dealing with to help you in managing them.
White-footed Ants (Technomyrmex albipes)
White-footed ants have brown to black-colored bodies, featuring pale yellowish/whitish feet, which give them their common name. They are a medium-small ant species that gets up to 1/8″ in length, and the most telltale signs of an infestation is a huge trail of ants moving back and forth from their nesting site. Nests tend to be at or just below ground level, near food sources. They usually nest in mulch and decaying plant debris.
White-footed ants do not bite or sting, but in large numbers can seem overwhelming.
They love honeydew (produced by aphids) for food, and foraging ants from the colony will forage on tree trunks, branches, and especially on nectar-producing plants to find it. Indoors they crave sweets.
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How to Get Rid of White-footed Ants on My Property?
As with trying to prevent other ant and insect invader pest species, keeping your lawn well mowed and the interior of your home wiped down and clean is a major key to keeping White-footed ants (and other ants) out.
Try the following tips to help you get rid of ants in your home.
- Seal up cracks and crevices in the baseboards, doors, and windows. Screen off pipe and utility entry points.
- Keep firewood and mulch at least 20 feet away from your home, and clear your yard of debris.
- Trim your shrubs and trees at least an inch or two away from the side of your home.
- Mow your lawn regularly and keep it clear of lawn clutter (logs, branches, stumps, leaf piles, etc.).
- Promptly wipe up food and beverage spills, keep your sink free of empty dishes, and sweep and mop regularly in your kitchen. Make sure all leaks indoors and outdoors are repaired.
Unlike most ants, White-footed ants don’t regurgitate or share food, so ant baits are only useful to kill the ones consume it. Baiting won’t wipe out the colony. Indoors, use insecticide dust. But you can spot treat for ants with a good spray, just don’t spray where you’ve put down bait, or the ants won’t come anywhere near the bait like you want them to. Spray all outdoor crevices, cracks, and gaps around your house. Inside, use a good insecticide dust. You can also spray your yard with a good yard bug spray LINK to perimeter treatment article. Heavily spraying their nest will also be effective.
Don’t let ant infestations ruin your summer fun! Even with all your best preventive measures, you may still find yourself dealing with ant infestations (or problems with other pests) occasionally. Call our Humble, TX pest control experts today at 832-898-0190 and we can help you save all sorts of money, stress, and time. Don’t miss out on grilling with your family and friends!
