Have you ever stepped out to your pool on a hot Florida afternoon only to find it littered with tiny, lifeless ants? What about when those ants are still alive, squirming around.
Gross, I know.
Florida’s unique mix of humidity, heat, and soil creates the perfect storm for ant activity, especially around water sources like your pool. But getting rid of them isn’t just about spraying and hoping for the best. It’s about being aware of why they’re there, identifying the type of ant you’re dealing with, and taking smart, targeted action to eliminate the colony and prevent future infestations.
I’ll tell you hacks I’ve learned over years in the field.
From why ants are showing up in your pool
Wo which solutions truly work (and which are a waste of time
And when it’s time to call in a professional ant control.
We’ll also cover the biggest mistakes homeowners make and how to protect your pool, your property, and your family with safe, effective, and long-lasting treatments.
Why Are Ants in My Pool in Florida?
I used to ask myself that question more times than I can count, especially after skimming a hundred of them out of my pool. Truth is, in Florida, your pool is a five-star oasis for thirsty ants, especially when it’s hot and humid and nearby soil is damp.
Ants Are Attracted to Water and Salt
In Florida’s brutal summer heat, they’re constantly seeking moisture, and your backyard oasis offers exactly what they need. Pools provide a dependable water source, especially during dry spells. That’s why it’s not uncommon to see dozens (or hundreds) of ants floating in the water, drawn in by thirst and unable to escape once they slip in.
Saltwater pools don’t offer any reprieve either. In fact, the trace minerals and salt can make these pools even more enticing to certain species. We’ve seen time and again how big-headed and ghost ants gravitate toward saltwater systems, treating them like a hydration station in the middle of a desert.
Nearby Landscaping and Paved Areas Encourage Nesting
What many homeowners don’t realize is that the landscaping around your pool can play just as big a role in an infestation as the pool itself. Ants are opportunistic nesters, and cracks in pool decks, pavers, and mortar joints offer easy entry points into the warm, protected spaces beneath.
Potted plants are another hidden danger. We’ve pulled entire colonies from planters sitting near pools, ants love the moist soil and organic material. Mulch beds, decorative borders, even the shade from shrubs. All of these can become breeding grounds just steps away from your waterline.
High Humidity and Rain Increase Ant Activity
Florida's weather can turn on a dime. When heavy rains or sprinklers flood the ground, ants are forced to evacuate their nests and one of the first safe surfaces they find is your pool deck. It’s not unusual to see an ant explosion after a storm as displaced colonies try to regroup.
Even Florida’s signature morning dew complicates things. Natural treatments like diatomaceous earth, which rely on dry surfaces to work, lose their effectiveness in our humid environment. That’s why treatments that may work up north often fail here because they simply weren’t made for our climate.
Most Popular Ants in Florida Pools
Not all ants are created equal and in Florida, we see a handful of species showing up in and around pools more than any others. Each type comes with its own behaviors and treatment challenges, so identification matters.
Big-headed ants
Photo Source -> University of Illinois
One of the most popular culprits we find near pools. True to their name, they have disproportionately large heads, and they love to build nests along the edges of pavers, walkways, and tree roots. If you’re seeing ants trailing through cracks in your hardscape or between bricks, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with these persistent pests.
Carpenter ants
Often found nesting in wood, especially damp or decaying wood near decks, fences, or pergolas. They’re larger than most ants and can be spotted foraging at night. While they’re not interested in your pool water specifically, they’ll use the surrounding area as a highway if conditions are right.
Ghost ants
Photo Source -> University of Wisconsin
Also called sugar ants are tiny, fast, and frustrating. They show up in overwhelming numbers and often end up floating en masse on the surface of your pool. These ants are drawn to moisture and sweet residues from outdoor drinks or food, and they can be tough to eliminate if colonies are widespread.
How Do I Get Rid of Ants in My Pool? (Fast + Long-Term Solutions)
Getting rid of ants in your Florida pool isn’t just about spraying and hoping for the best. It takes a deliberate, layered approach because every infestation is both a surface issue and a hidden one. Here’s how we tackle it, and how you can too.
Step 1 – Eliminate the Colony at the Source
-> Find Out Where To Buy Terro Directly From Their Website
To win the war, you have to strike at the colony, not just the ants you see.
Start with slow-acting baits like Terro, Niban, or Intice. These products attract worker ants, who carry the poison back to the nest where it can wipe out the queen and her colony. They don’t kill on contact, and that’s by design. A quick kill leaves the nest untouched. A delayed one ensures the entire system collapses from within.
If you notice ants emerging from cracks in pavers or between your deck and soil, you may be dealing with a subterranean nest. These can run deep, sometimes beneath the pool slab itself, so accurate positioning of bait is really the key to win the war.
Follow ant trails when possible, and apply bait where activity is most concentrated.
Step 2 – Use Targeted Treatments Around the Pool
Once you’ve deployed bait, reinforce your defense with a perimeter treatment using professional-grade insecticides like Alpine WSG or Termidor SC. These are not your everyday sprays from the local hardware store. They’re designed to be slow-acting and undetectable by ants, so they walk through the treatment, carry it back to the nest, and unknowingly spread the active ingredient.
Avoid the temptation of cheap big-box sprays. Many of these contain repellents that scatter ants, causing the colony to split and relocate rather than die off. That only makes the problem worse and trust me, I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count.
Step 3 – Natural and Pet-Safe Remedies
If you prefer to go the natural route, or you’re working around pets and small children, food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) can be an effective, low-toxicity option. It works by dehydrating ants as they walk across it. But there’s a catch: it only works when it’s dry.
In humid Florida, especially places like Tampa, morning dew or regular rain can render DE ineffective almost instantly. If you go this route, reapply often and monitor the weather. Also, be aware that natural doesn’t always mean harmless, DE can irritate lungs if inhaled in large amounts, so use with care.
Step 4 – Prevent Future Infestations
Even after you’ve eliminated a colony, you’re not done. Florida’s climate makes reinfestation a constant risk. That’s why prevention is a cornerstone of any long-term solution.
Fix leaky plumbing or irrigation systems near your pool. Even a slow drip creates the damp environment ants crave.
Avoid sugary drinks or snacks near the pool, and clean up promptly. Residues attract sugar ants and ghost ants in large numbers.
Install bait stations around the perimeter of your yard and check them regularly. Many homeowners place 15–20 stations strategically to stay ahead of new colonies.
When to Call a Professional
There’s a point when DIY just isn’t enough. Florida ants are tough, persistent, and often more deeply rooted than they seem. If you’ve done everything right and still find yourself fighting off ants week after week, it may be time to call in a professional ant control.
Signs You Need Help
Constant reinfestation is one of the clearest signs that the problem is deeper than you can reach. If ants keep returning no matter how often you bait or spray, chances are the colony is either very large, well-protected, or there are multiple nests at play.
If you’re starting to see signs of structural damage, such as shifting pavers, erosion under your deck, or ants emerging from cracks in your concrete, don’t wait. These issues can escalate quickly and repairing physical damage to a pool deck is far more expensive than dealing with the ants causing it.
And if ants aren’t just at your pool but showing up in multiple areas of your yard or even inside your home, it’s no longer an isolated issue. You’re likely dealing with a network of colonies that requires a comprehensive treatment plan.
What to Ask Your Ant Control Provider
When choosing a professional ant control service, not all providers are created equal. Ask the right questions to make sure you’re hiring someone who understands the unique challenges of Florida ants pressure, especially around water.
Do they treat outdoor colonies near water? Many general pest services focus on indoor pests and overlook poolside zones. Make sure your provider is equipped to treat delicate landscaping and water systems without compromising safety.
Do they use slow-acting, colony-killing baits? Quick-kill sprays might impress at first glance, but real, lasting control comes from strategic baiting. Professionals who understand ant biology and behavior will target the queen and colony, not just the foragers you see.
Our team is here to guide you every step of the way, from identifying the source to protecting what matters most. We treat every property like it’s our own because for us, this is more than just ant control. It’s about protecting your family’s safety, and the backyard memories you work so hard to create.
📞 Call us at (954) 590-0477
🌐 Visit us online atwww.hofferpest.com