Ghost ant

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments such as kitchens and bathrooms (near moisture); outdoors in leaf litter and under loose bark in tropical and subtropical regions.

Diet & Feeding

Honeydew from aphids and mealybugs; scavenges for sweets, grease, and protein in human homes.

Behavior Patterns

Notable for their erratic, fast-paced running when disturbed; they form multiple interconnected colonies and can nest in very small spaces.

Risks & Benefits

Primarily a nuisance pest in homes. They do not sting and their bite is negligible, but they can contaminate food and crawl across surfaces in large numbers. Ecosystem benefit: they assist in natural pest control and nutrient recycling.

Identified on: 2/11/2026