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December 16, 2022

Why do I have small ants inside my home?

One of the most common pest control issues in South Florida is the small invading ghost ant. Homeowners often will find these almost invisible ants overtaking different areas of the home, typically the kitchen, bathroom and even our cars. Like many other pests they are attracted to our homes due to the food, shelter, water and favorable temperature that our homes provide. These ants can spread quickly in a short period of time and are comfortable living inside or outside a home. Their heads and thorax have a deep brown hue whereas their legs and backend have a milky white appearance. Generally, these small ants are around 1.3 to 1.5 mm long.
These ants establish multiple colonies by “budding”. Budding is when ants split off from a main colony to form another colony. Multiple colonies can exist in the same house. We recommend having our pest control specialist treat these ants in your home to ensure that all colonies have been eliminated and prevent these ants from budding and worsening the problem.
A good way to preventing these ants is cleanliness in the home. These ants are drawn to our food so making sure that food is stored in proper containers can go a long way in preventing the possibility of an infestation. We also recommend checking windows and door frames to ensure that the proper weather stripping and caulking are in place to prevent pest entry. Lastly, an ongoing pest control service can help prevent and control these ants from becoming a problem in your home. Please reach out to us for more information on how you can protect your home from unwanted pests.

Small ants indoors FAQ

What kind of small ant is usually in a Palm Beach County kitchen?

Ghost ants are the most common indoor trailer we see: tiny, pale ants along counters, sinks and window frames. Other small ants can look similar at a glance, so a technician will confirm the species.

Why do they come back the day after I wipe the counter?

Wiping removes the trail you can see, not the colony. Workers will lay a new trail to the same food or moisture source. The nest is often in a wall void, at a plumbing penetration, or just outside.

Does spraying the trail help?

Usually not for long, and with ghost ants it can cause the colony to split. Baits and a targeted treatment based on the species work better than spraying every ant you see.

Do I need to clean before an inspection?

A normal tidy-up is fine. You do not need to deep-clean first. In fact, leaving evidence of where they trail helps the technician find the source faster.

How do I book a complimentary ant inspection?

Call (561) 725-5274 or use our contact page. You can also read our home ant control page for how treatment works.

Call (561) 725-5274 to Speak With a Representative.

Google reviews

What Palm Beach County customers say

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5.0 average from 51 Google reviews · Read on Google (opens in a new tab) · Leave a review (opens in a new tab)

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Q and L was quick to respond and incredibly effective in remedying a termite issue. I could not recommend them enough.

Frank B.
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I used Q and L Pest Management to tent my house for termites. They walked me through the whole process and made the undertaking as painless as possible. Highly recommend their services.

John J.
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We discovered a beehive in our backyard. We were referred to this company we called. They responded and came out immediately and remediated the issue. Would recommend them to anyone they are reasonable. They are attentive to their customers and responsive and also reasonable with price.

Mirna M.
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I had a great experience with Q&L! I was having issues with spiders at my home, I called Q&L and they were there the next day. They’re very knowledgeable and did a very thorough inspection of the house to make sure they were getting to the root of the problem. I will continue to use them and would recommend them to anyone!

Maria A.
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John was very professionally and knowledgeable. The service was great, no more roaches!!!!

Andrew H.
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John was super professional and on-time, which is hard to come by for pest management services. We were worried our house was going to fall over based on a previous inspection, but after speaking with John during his initial consultation he assured us he could handle the task at hand. He was incredibly professional and focused on the entomology instead of being overly sales-pitchy. Highly recommend!

Meredith H.
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John is the man!!! He is the most detailed inspector I have ever used. We have over 10 properties and I don’t have a single bug. His billing is accurate and on time. I would recommend his service to anyone. Thanks John.

Mirella M.
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I have used Q and L for over a year now. They provide quality service with little to no hassle. They show up on time and have made a few “emergency” trips day of it next day when we have had issues beyond our normal monthly maintenance service. I cannot recommend them enough.

Billy H.
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Wonderful experience and Michael is the best employee I’ve worked with so far!! Great job team!

Olivia C.
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If it was possible to give a 10 star I would. John was absolutely amazing, thorough and professional. The Best Service and Would definitely Recommend!!

Cody C.
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It was my first time having John. He was very thorough, informative and professional, excellent service. We appreciate Q & L Pest Management thank you.

Althea B.
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John is professional, dependable, and treated our property like it was his own. Highly recommend his services, couldn’t have been more pleased with the quick results!

Meaghan L.

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