If you live in Florida, you’ve likely noticed that ants are a year-round nuisance. Unlike states with cold winters, Florida’s warm, humid climate keeps ants active every season. However, certain times of the year bring even larger infestations, making homes and businesses more vulnerable.
Peak Infestation Periods (March–October)
While ants never truly disappear in Florida, the most intense infestations typically occur between March and October. Warmer temperatures trigger rapid colony expansion, and increased foraging leads to more frequent indoor invasions.
Rainy Season: A Surge in Ant Activity
Photo Source -> UC Agriculture and Natural Resources
Florida’s heavy summer rains (typically from June through September) force ants out of their flooded underground nests. This explains why ant invasions spike after storms—they’re seeking dry shelter, which often means moving inside your home.
Regional Differences in Ant Activity
North Florida – Slightly cooler winters slow down activity, but ants still thrive in heated buildings.
Central Florida – Mild winters allow ants to stay active, with heavy summer infestations.
South Florida – With consistently warm temperatures, ants remain a constant problem, and some species (like ghost ants) never slow down.
Do Ants Hibernate in Florida?
Unlike mammals that hibernate in cold weather, ants in Florida never fully go dormant. Instead, they enter a slowed metabolic state called diapause, which helps them conserve energy during less favorable conditions. However, because Florida’s winters are mild, many ants remain partially active year-round.
Diapause vs. Hibernation: What’s the Difference?
Hibernation is a deep sleep-like state where animals drastically reduce their bodily functions to survive extreme cold.
Diapause is a temporary slowdown in activity, triggered by environmental changes like shorter daylight hours or food scarcity.
Since Florida's temperatures rarely drop low enough, many ants don’t even enter diapause—they simply continue foraging at a reduced pace.
Florida’s Most Common Ant Species & How to Control Them
Florida is home to over 200 species of ants, but only a handful are responsible for major infestations in homes and businesses. Each species behaves differently, which means the best way to eliminate them depends on their nesting habits and food preferences.
Full Guide -> Most Common Ants In Florida
Do Different Ant Species Require Different Bait Types?
Yes! Not all ants are attracted to the same baits. Some prefer sweet-based baits, while others are drawn to protein- or grease-based baits. Using the wrong bait can lead to ineffective results and prolonged infestations.
For example:
Ghost Ants & Sugar Ants – Attracted to sweet liquid baits.
Carpenter Ants – Prefer protein-based baits.
Fire Ants – Respond well to granular fire ant bait but not to liquid baits.
Tawny Crazy Ants – Often resistant to traditional baits, requiring professional treatment.
Fire Ants – The Aggressive Invaders
Fire ants are one of the most feared ant species in Florida. Their painful stings, aggressive swarming behavior, and tendency to invade electrical equipment make them a serious problem for both homeowners and businesses.
Where Do Fire Ants Nest?
Mound Nests in Lawns & Fields – Fire ants build large, dome-shaped mounds in open areas, including lawns, gardens, and parks.
Underground Colonies – Their nests extend deep into the soil, making them resistant to flooding.
Near Foundations & Pavement – They often build mounds next to homes, sidewalks, and driveways, creating a direct path inside.
Fire Ants Swarm Aggressively?
Fire ants are highly territorial. When their mound is disturbed, they attack in attack in seconds, delivering painful stings.Each ant can sting multiple times, injecting venom that causes burning, itching, and allergic reactions.
Disturbing a mound doesn’t kill the colony, it often forces them to relocate.
How to Get Rid of Fire Ants
Fire Ant Bait (Most Effective) – Works by luring worker ants to carry poison back to the queen, wiping out the colony.
Granular or Liquid Insecticides – Applied directly to mounds, killing ants on contact.
Professional Treatment – Hoffer Pest Solutions offers targeted treatments that eliminate entire colonies without scattering them.
Carpenter Ants – The Silent Wood Destroyers
Carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites because they nest inside wood—but unlike termites, they don’t eat it. Instead, they excavate tunnels to build their colonies, leading to structural damage over time.
How to Spot Carpenter Ant Damage (Not to Be Confused with Termites)
Carpenter ant infestations can go unnoticed for months or even years. Here’s how to tell if they’ve invaded your home:
Hollow-Sounding Wood – Knock on wooden surfaces; if they sound hollow, ants may be tunneling inside.
Sawdust-Like Frass – Unlike termites, carpenter ants push out wood shavings and debris (frass) from their tunnels.
No Mud Tubes – Termites build mud tubes along walls and foundations; carpenter ants do not.
Winged Ants Indoors – Swarms of large, winged carpenter ants inside your home are a sign of a nearby nest.
🚨 Warning: Carpenter ants prefer moist or rotting wood, making them a red flag for underlying water damage.
Why Moisture Attracts Carpenter Ants
Leaky Roofs & Pipes – Damp conditions soften wood, making it easier for ants to tunnel.
Decaying Wood Around Windows & Doors – Provides easy access to hidden nesting spots.
Outdoor Mulch & Rotting Trees – Creates prime conditions for satellite colonies near your home.
Best Treatments for Carpenter Ants
✔ Repair Moisture Issues – Fix leaks and replace rotting wood to eliminate nesting sites.
✔ Use Protein-Based Ant Baits – Carpenter ants prefer protein-rich foods over sweet baits.
✔ Seal Entry Points – Caulk cracks around windows, doors, and baseboards.
✔ Professional Extermination – Hoffer Pest Solutions targets indoor and outdoor colonies, preventing reinfestation.
Ghost Ants – The Kitchen Pests
Ghost ants are one of Florida’s most frustrating indoor pests. Their tiny size and translucent bodies make them nearly invisible until you see a full-blown infestation in your kitchen.
Why Are Ghost Ants So Hard to Detect?
They’re extremely small (1.3–1.5 mm).
Their pale bodies blend into countertops and walls.
They travel in unpredictable patterns, making trails harder to spot.
Common Hiding Spots for Ghost Ants
Ghost ants prefer warm, humid environments and sweet foods. They commonly nest in:
✔ Electrical Outlets & Wiring Boxes
✔ Kitchen Cabinets & Appliances (microwaves, dishwashers, toasters)
✔ Under Sinks & Inside Wall Voids
Why Sugar-Based Baits Work Best
Ghost ants have a sweet tooth, making liquid and gel-based baits the most effective. Spraying them only scatters the colony, so baits are the best long-term solution.
How to Eliminate Ghost Ants for Good
✅ Use Sugar-Based Baits – Place near trails for workers to carry poison back to the colony.
✅ Keep Kitchens Clean – Wipe down counters and store food in airtight containers.
✅ Professional Ant Control – Hoffer Pest Solutions uses non-repellent baits that eliminate entire colonies.
Full Guide -> How To Get Rid Of Ghost Ants In Florida
Tawny Crazy Ants – Florida’s Most Persistent Pest
Tawny crazy ants, also known as Rasberry crazy ants, are one of the most difficult ant species to control in Florida. Unlike other ants that form single-queen colonies, these pests create massive supercolonies, allowing them to spread rapidly and outcompete native species.
Why Do Tawny Crazy Ants Spread So Quickly?
✔ Supercolonies – Unlike fire ants or carpenter ants, which establish separate nests, tawny crazy ants form interconnected colonies with multiple queens, making them nearly impossible to wipe out.
✔ Fast-Reproducing Workers – They multiply at an extreme rate, often outnumbering other ant species by millions.
✔ No Defined Trails – Their erratic, “crazy” movement patterns make it difficult to track and eliminate them.
✔ Displacement of Other Ant Species – These aggressive ants push out fire ants and Argentine ants, dominating entire areas.
Why Are Tawny Crazy Ants Resistant to Traditional Pesticides?
🚫 Contact Killers Don’t Work – Standard sprays and insecticides may kill some ants, but the colony remains intact.
🚫 They Can Detoxify Pesticides – Research shows that tawny crazy ants can neutralize venom from fire ants and detoxify certain pesticides, making them especially tough to eliminate.
🚫 Spraying Can Make the Infestation Worse – Like ghost ants, tawny crazy ants scatter and relocate when sprayed, creating new infestations instead of stopping them.
Why Professional Treatment Is the Only Reliable Solution
Because tawny crazy ants are so resilient, DIY methods almost never work. The best way to eliminate them is through targeted, professional ant control.
✔ Specialized Baits – Unlike traditional ant bait, professional-grade treatments target the entire supercolony.
✔ Non-Repellent Insecticides – Hoffer Pest Solutions uses treatments that don’t trigger colony splitting, ensuring complete elimination.
✔ Ongoing Prevention Plans – Regular pest control is key to keeping tawny crazy ants from returning.
Don’t Let Ants Take Over – Get Expert Help Today!
DIY ant treatments often do more harm than good—sprays only kill visible ants, forcing colonies to relocate, while myths like “boiling water kills fire ants” rarely work. Even baits require time and proper placement to be effective, and heavy rain can wash them away before they do their job. Florida’s ant season is relentless, and without the right approach, infestations keep coming back.
That’s where Hoffer Pest Solutions comes in.
Our same-day service ensures fast relief, and our year-round protection plans keep your home ant-free—no matter the season. We use targeted treatments designed for Florida’s most stubborn ant species, eliminating entire colonies at the source.
🚨 Tired of battling ants in your home? Don’t wait—Contact Hoffer Pest Solutions today for expert, long-lasting ant control!