Key Points
Most “sugar ants” in Florida are ghost ants or big-headed ants, not true sugar ants.
They invade homes seeking sweets, water, and warmth.
Sprays alone don’t work—baiting and non-repellent treatments are required.
Prevention includes sealing cracks, trimming vegetation, and controlling honeydew-producing insects.
What Are Sugar Ants?
In Florida, the term sugar ant usually refers to tiny ghost ants or big-headed ants—both thrive in warm, humid climates.
Ghost ants are pale brown with translucent abdomens, making them hard to spot on countertops. They’re fast, form multiple colonies, and nest in walls, potted plants, or under appliances.
You’ll frequently encounter them in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Davie, Hollywood, Naples, and Fort Myers—areas where humidity and vegetation create perfect nesting conditions.
If you’re unsure what type of ants you’re dealing with, see our Do Sugar Ants Bite guide for help identifying small indoor ants.
They feed on sweets, grease, and other insects, making kitchens, bathrooms, and gardens ideal feeding zones. Because colonies can fragment and spread quickly, treating only visible ants rarely solves the problem.
Why Are Sugar Ants Invading My Home?
Sugar ants are relentless in their search for food, water, and shelter—especially in Florida’s tropical climate.
1. Food Sources That Attract Ants
Ghost ants and big-headed ants are drawn to sugary foods like juice, fruit, and baked goods. Even crumbs under a toaster can sustain a colony.
Action: Wipe counters, store foods in sealed containers, and vacuum regularly. For natural prevention, review our 10 Natural Solutions to Get Rid of Sugar Ants.
2. Entry Points Around the Home
Sugar ants squeeze through tiny gaps in windows, doors, or walls. In coastal cities such as Miami or Dania Beach, palm fronds touching the home act as bridges that bypass treatments.
Action: Seal cracks with caulk and trim plants or trees touching your home. Our Ants in Your Bathroom: How to Get Rid of Them in South Florida guide shows how vegetation can invite indoor ants.
3. Honeydew-Producing Insects
Ants protect and feed on honeydew secreted by pests like aphids or whiteflies. When your plants have sticky residue or sooty mold, you’ve likely got both honeydew and ants.
Action: Inspect and treat infested plants promptly. Learn about the connection in Things You’re Doing to Attract Ants in Your Home—and How to Stop Them.
4. Landscaping & Palm Trees
Palm trees are a signature of South Florida, but they’re also highways for ants. Ants climb trunks and fronds to collect honeydew and often use overhanging branches to access your home.
Action: Trim palm fronds that touch the structure and monitor tree bases for trails.
How Sugar Ants Enter Homes
1. Tiny Cracks and Gaps
Ants can infiltrate through door thresholds, window frames, or where utilities enter the home.
Action: Seal entry points with weatherstripping or silicone caulk.
2. Overhanging Branches and Potted Plants
Outdoor plants and overhanging limbs let ants bypass treated zones. Potted plants near doors or windows can serve as launch points.
Action: Keep vegetation at least a foot from the structure. Move potted plants away from entryways and inspect soil before bringing them inside.
3. Indoor Moisture
Kitchens and bathrooms are moisture hotspots. Ghost ants thrive near sinks, dishwashers, or condensation lines.
Action: Fix leaks and wipe surfaces dry daily. If ants appear in bathrooms, see our How to Stop Ants in Your Florida Bathroom Drain guide.
4. Multiple Colonies
Ghost ants often form satellite colonies, each with its own queen. Killing visible ants only affects part of the problem.
Action: Target multiple sites simultaneously for complete elimination. Learn how colony structure affects treatment in The Structure of an Ant Colony: Roles and Responsibilities.
Comparison of Common Florida Ants
| Ant Type | Color | Size | Typical Nesting Site | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghost Ant | Pale yellow/brown | 1.5 mm | Wall voids, potted plants | High |
| Big-Headed Ant | Brown | 2 mm | Soil, under rocks | Medium |
| Carpenter Ant | Black or red | 6–12 mm | Wood structures | High (structural) |
| Pharaoh Ant | Yellow | 2 mm | Indoors (warm areas) | Medium |
| Fire Ant | Reddish-brown | 3–6 mm | Lawns, mounds | High (stings) |
For in-depth carpenter species details, see our Effective Ways to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants.
Best Methods to Get Rid of Sugar Ants in Florida
Identify the Ant Species First
Different ant species respond differently to baits and sprays. Ghost ants prefer sweet gels, while big-headed ants may go for proteins. For help distinguishing species, visit our Do Sugar Ants Bite identification article.
Why Sprays Don’t Work
Common sprays kill on contact but cause colonies to split and relocate. This “budding” makes infestations worse.
Professionals use non-repellent products like Termidor or Taurus, allowing ants to spread the active ingredient before dying—eliminating the colony at its source.
Multi-Step Professional Strategy
Locate the Source: Follow foraging trails to find where ants are entering.
Seal Entry Points: Prevent re-entry with caulk or weatherproofing.
Use Targeted Baits: Apply small amounts of Terro gel or borate bait along active trails. See our How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants with Borax: A Complete Guide.
Apply Non-Repellent Spray: Use Alpine WSG or similar in crevices—avoid contact killers.
Dust Key Areas: Apply borate dust behind outlets to stop ants traveling through wiring.
Treat the Attic: Place granular baits in attic spaces to intercept ants entering from above.
For extended results, refer to our Ant Baiting Techniques: What Works Best for Naples Homes.
How to Prevent Sugar Ants from Coming Back
Exterior Barriers
Maintain an exterior perimeter spray quarterly, focusing on baseboards and entry points.
Landscaping Control
Trim back vegetation touching your home. Treat plants for aphids or whiteflies to cut off honeydew.
Sealing and Maintenance
Inspect after storms or seasonal rains for new cracks or moisture-prone areas.
Long-Term Prevention
Schedule seasonal inspections. Learn more from our How to Prevent Ants in Your Bathroom Year-Round: South Florida Tips.
They nest outdoors in soil, mulch, and under debris, entering through small gaps in search of food and moisture.
They don’t bite but can contaminate food surfaces. See our “Do Sugar Ants Bite” guide for species differences.
With non-repellent products, ants continue foraging while spreading bait through the colony. This is a sign of progress, not failure.
If ants persist after several weeks of baiting, contact a licensed expert. Read When To Hire an Ant Exterminator for timing guidance.