Ghost ants are a small species of ant that can easily be confused with pharaoh ants. They are usually brownish in color and about 1/16″ long. Ghost ants get their name from their translucent abdomen, which is the back half of their body. The head and thorax, or front half of the body, are dark brown to black. Ghost ants have been seen entering homes through cracks in the foundation and under doors where they search for food crumbs and water sources like leaky pipes. Since they do not nest indoors, they do not pose much of a threat to humans; however, if you have pets or children in your home then it might be best to keep them out because they could cause problems if ingested accidentally during cleaning activities such as vacuuming up spilled food on your kitchen floor (which happens more often than you might think).
Ghost ants can be found in many parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and North America. In North America, they tend to be found in warmer climates like Florida and Texas.
Although they are not considered to be harmful, ghost ants can become problematic because they are attracted to electrical equipment such as televisions and stereos which emit heat or radio waves. This makes them an issue for people who live near these types of appliances or who have them inside their homes.
What Are Ghost Ants Attracted To?
If you’re wondering what these ants are attracted to, you’re in luck. This section will tell you all about what ghost ants like and what they don’t like.
The best bait for ghost ants outside is a mixture of sugar water and borax powder. The borax helps to kill the ant colony by poisoning them. The sugar water can be used as part of a trap or even sprinkled around on the ground where the ants are seen coming into your home.
If there are many ghost ant colonies inside your home, it’s best not to use any kind of bait indoors. Instead, place some liquid ant baits outdoors near where they were seen entering your home and let them do their job while keeping people safe inside (and away from getting hurt).
How Do You Get Rid Of Ghost Ants Outside?
There are a variety of different methods you can use to get rid of ghost ants outside. Ant bait is one option, such as MaxForce® Complete Granular Ant Bait. This product contains imidacloprid and fipronil and should be used with caution around children, dogs, cats, and other pets. Borax is another option that works well in controlling ghost ants. You will need to mix 1/2 cup of Borax powder with 1-gallon water and apply it using a garden sprayer or some other method suitable for coating your yard with the solution; this will help eliminate any food sources that may attract ghost ants.
Diatomaceous earth (DE) also works well in eliminating ghost ants outside by dehydrating them through its abrasive texture which cuts into their exoskeleton causing them death by dehydration or suffocation if they are unable to escape from the dust barrier created by DE when applied at several inches thick on soil surfaces where these pests nestle during hot summer months before returning indoors once temperatures drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit again which means it’s important not just for outdoors but also indoors too since these insects can enter through cracks in foundation walls where no insecticides exist.
What Bait To Use For Ghost Ants?
The bait you choose should be high in protein and slow-acting, as these are the most effective characteristics for ghost ants. The best baits also have multiple feeding stations, which allow for more than one ant to feed at once. Ghost ants are attracted to a wide variety of food sources, including:
- Honeydew from aphids and mealy bugs
- Fungus gnats or fruit flies (especially sweetened)
- Protein-rich foods such as peanut butter
Other characteristics your bait should have include:
- Being easy to apply, with no mess or splatter involved; this makes it ideal for homes with small children and pets who may accidentally come into contact with the bait
- Being available locally so that you don’t have to order it online (and pay shipping costs)
Killing Ghost ants
People use a variety of products to kill these ants. Some people like to use dust, some people like to use sprays and some people prefer baits.
The best way is a combination of all 3 methods because this will kill them faster and also prevents reinfestation from other ant colonies.
Most people prefer using baits because they are more convenient and effective at killing ghost ants than any other means of controlling these pests.
List Of Ant Bait To Control Ghost Ants
If you suspect that you have ghost ants invading your home’s walls or floors, it’s important to know what kind of products are available to help control them and prevent further infestations.
Intice Gelanimo Ant Bait Ready to Use Stations .25 oz (Case of 30) Rockwell Labs
Price: $35.99
Features:
- The “No Spill, No Mess” Bait that utilizes the unique patent-pending “rigid hydro-gel” technology.
- Innovative “Rigid Gel” Technology – High moisture content with a consistency similar to gelatin. Remains stable at temperatures up to 130° F. Gelanimo will not become sticky or gooey
- Highly Effective Gel Bait – Multiple ants can feed at once without drowning in the bait and can easily cut and carry pieces of Gelanimo back to the nest site.
- Solutions for Heavy Outdoor Infestations – For long term control of heavy outdoor infestations, 4 oz cups designed to be used with the InTice Border Patrol Station are available.
- Green Zone Brand – Mineral-based active ingredient. Suitable for green service programs
Advance Dual Choice Ant Bait Stations-4 Pk 716367
Price: $22.95
Features:
- Abamectin 0.011%
- Apartments, Campgrounds, Food Storage Areas, Homes, Hospitals, Hotels, Meat Packing and Food Processing Plants, Motels, Nursing Homes, Resorts, Restaurants and other Food Handling Establishments, Schools, Supermarkets, Transportation Equipment (Buses, Boats, Ships, Trains, Trucks, Planes), Utilities, Warehouses and other Commercial and Industrial Buildings
- Pharaoh Ants Cornfield Ants Argentine Ants and a Variety of Household Ants
Ant Killer by Ortho Home Defense 10Pk|Metal Ant Traps Indoor & Ant Killer Outdoor | Ant Killer Indoor Safe for Pets and Kids |Effective Ant Trap & Ant Bait Indoor Ant Killer | Ants Killer for House
Price: $21.99
Features:
- PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY FROM UNDESIRED ANT INVASION WITH ORTHO ANT KILLER : We know how it feels to fall victim to ant invasion. Noticing ant trails and mounds in your garden is the first sign. It’s just a matter of time until they infiltrate your home. You may be wondering how to get rid of ants permanently and safely. Ortho home defense max equips you with ant bait stations that permanently kill ants by delivering ant poison to the queen and the colony within 24hrs of use.
- ANT POISON THAT KILLS THE QUEEN: If you’re in need of ant traps outdoor or ant killer indoor safe for pets , don’t settle for pesticide that merely kills the ants outside their colony. Ortho’s pet friendly ant killer eradicates whole colonies through targeting their queen. Worker ants enter the ant baits and feed on them, then, they return and contaminate their entire nest. Ortho’s ant traps indoor pet safe ant killer that is safe for pets starts poisoning ants in the nest within 24 hours.
- ESTABLISH ANT CONTROL WITH A TRUSTED BRAND IN 5 STEPS – 1)Remove the indoor pet friendly ant killer from the packaging. 2) Puncture the metal bait station to activate the anti ant formula. 3) Identify the affected areas and place the ant bait outdoor and ant poisoning indoor cans accordingly. 4) Replace after 30 days if you’re suffering from an immense ant incursion. 5) Regain peace, use Ortho’s food based ant bait gel & ant killer gel stations to get rid of ants anywhere.
- ORTHO’S ANT KILLER THAT IS SAFE FOR PETS KILLS MORE SPECIES OF ANTS THAN THE NEXT BEST PEST CONTROL BRAND: Ortho’s ant killer outdoor safe for pets is effective against most kinds of ants such as Pavement, Acrobat, Pyramid, White Footed, Little Black, Argentine. The metallic pet safe ant killer and repellant case prevents poison spillage that could endanger your kids and pets. You won’t need to buy other ant bait traps.
In Conclusion,
Ants are a very common nuisance in homes and other buildings as well as gardens, yards, and parks. There is no doubt that they are one of the most annoying pests around. However, when it comes to killing Ghost ants with bait, there is no need for expensive chemicals or insecticides. The best bait for Ghost ants is a solution made up of sugar water mixed with borax powder which you can use yourself to get rid of these pesky bugs quickly and easily.