The Difference Between Ghost Ants and Pharaoh Ants in Fort Lauderdale

If you’ve spotted tiny ants crawling around your kitchen, you’re probably dealing with either ghost ants or pharaoh ants—two of the most common ant species in South Florida. While they may look alike, these ants have distinct differences in behavior, nesting habits, and treatment methods.

Understanding their differences is crucial for effective ant control and maintaining a pest-free home.

Key Takeaways

Ghost ants and pharaoh ants look alike, but you can tell them apart by their color, body shape, and movement.
These ants are hard to control because ghost ants build big colonies, while pharaoh ants spread fast when disturbed.
To get rid of them, use the right ant baits, remove food sources, seal gaps, and avoid sprays.
Calling a pest control company is the best way to stop ghost ants and pharaoh ants from coming back.

How to Tell the Difference Between Ghost Ants and Pharaoh Ants

At first glance, ghost ants and pharaoh ants might look the same to homeowners, but they have some key differences that can help you figure out what’s crawling around your home.

Knowing what species of ant you're dealing with can make all the difference in getting rid of them. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you tell them apart:

Features	Ghost Ants	Pharaoh Ants
Size	~1/16 inch	~1/13 inch
Body	Slim, elongated thorax	More rounded thorax
Antennae	12 segments, no club	12 segments, distinct 3-segmented club
Color	Dark head, pale/translucent body	Yellow to light brown with a darker abdomen
Diet	Sugary foods	Proteins, greases, dead insects, and sugary foods
Nesting Sites	Wall voids, baseboards, mulch, potted plants	Warm, humid areas inside wall voids, baseboards, crevices
Behavior	Moves quickly and erratically	Moves in well-organized trails
Colony Formation	Large ant colonies with multiple queens	New colonies form through budding behavior

Why Are These Ants a Problem?

Also known as sugar ants, ghost ants form large colonies with multiple queens, making them difficult to control. These small ants build nests in crevices, behind baseboards, and inside wall voids.

Thriving in Florida’s warm climate, a single infestation can quickly spread into new colonies if not treated properly.

Pharaoh ants are just as challenging, but for a different reason.

When their colony is disturbed, these tiny ants scatter and form new colonies in different areas, a process called budding. This makes DIY treatments ineffective and can actually make an infestation worse.

How to Get Rid of Ghost Ants and Pharaoh Ants

If you're dealing with ghost ants or pharaoh ants, you know how tricky they can be to get rid of. To make sure you’re tackling these common pests the right way, follow these steps:

1. Identify the Ant Species

Ant identification is key before starting treatment. Using the wrong method can make the problem worse, especially with pharaoh ants.

2. Remove Food Sources

To keep pharaoh ants and ghost ants out of your home, store food in airtight containers and clean up crumbs, spills, and sugary residues immediately.

Ghost ants are especially drawn to honeydew from aphids, so check houseplants for infestations. Regularly take out the trash and avoid leaving pet food out overnight to remove easy food sources.

3. Seal Entry Points

Look for small gaps and crevices around doors, windows, and baseboards, as these are common entry points for ants. Sealing these openings with caulk can also help keep other species, such as crazy ants and odorous house ants, out.

4. Use the Right Ant Baits

For ghost ants, sugar-based ant baits work best because they are drawn to honeydew and other sugary substances. Pharaoh ants, however, are more likely to take protein-based baits.

Using the wrong baits can make control efforts ineffective.

5. Avoid Sprays

While it might be tempting to grab a store-bought repellent, this can actually cause new colonies to form, especially with pharaoh ants.

Instead, rely on baits that target the entire ant infestation at the source.

6. Contact a Pest Control Company

Because ghost ants and pharaoh ants can be difficult to control, it’s best to work with a professional pest control company. A licensed exterminator will use proven pest management techniques to eliminate the ant nests and prevent future infestations.

Professional Ant Control in Fort Lauderdale

If you’re struggling with an ant problem in your home, Native Pest Management offers expert pest control services to effectively eliminate pharaoh ants and ghost ant infestations.

Besides ghost and pharaoh ants, our team understands the types of ants common in South Florida, including carpenter ants, pavement ants, Argentine ants, fire ants, and big-headed ants. We only use advanced ant control strategies to keep your home pest-free.