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Biology
The white-footed ant, Technomyrmex albipes (Fr. Smith) has been making news in Florida
over the last few years as a pest ant of major importance.

The WFA is a medium small (2.5-3 mm long), black to brownish-black ant with yellowish-white
tarsi (feet) and a one-segmented waist.

Primary reproductive kings and queens swarm from the colony in July and August in South
Florida to start new colonies. The existing colony can also form new colonies by budding, a
process in which fertile queens leave the old colony with other nest mates to start a new
nesting site.

The WFA swarm can be quite large and alarming to the
home owner especially if the swarm occurs within the
structure.

The home owner may not realize they have a WFA
problem until they see continuous trailing on the
exterior of their home and at this stage the colony may
be quite large.

WFA's success is its ability to reproduce in large numbers, especially considering that it
doesn't have the obvious defensive capabilities of many other ants such as a venomous
sting, chemical sprays, or soldiers with strong, biting mandibles. Nearly half of the entire
WFA colony is composed of fertile, reproductive females called intercastes .

What makes WFA’s such a formidable pest to control is that they are a niche ant and under the
right circumstances can form very large colonies ( 1 million and above) and displace other ant
species within their foraging range.
Canopy - tent nesters. Exceptional ability in arboreal nesting and foraging.
Use of trophic eggs (unfertilized eggs) as a food source.
Very high reproductive capabilities compared to other ant species.
Rarely exchanges food with other nest mates.

Why these attributes make controlling these ants difficult.

Being arboreal in nature makes treatment difficult. Ants can move from trees and shrubs
directly to structures without touching the ground.

Unfertilized females lay trophic eggs (unfertilized eggs) which can be used as a food source.

Because of the extremely high reproductive rate, Once large colonies are established control
becomes difficult.

Baiting is less effective because very little food is exchange between ants

Do not store any items close to or against the foundation.
Extend A/C drip line 12” away from foundation.
Clean leaf litter from gutters and downspouts.
Remove leaf litter and debris from under ornamentals, shrubs, and on turf .
Call Lan Mac 800-697-9975

Even though the White Footed Ant is a formidable pest to control once they are established, If
there is cooperation between the homeowner and pest control operator, the white footed ant
can be controlled.
The first step in control is doing a through inspection to determine the extent of the
infestation.

After the inspection, a treatment plan is created and it may involve several steps involving both
the homeowner and pest control operator depending on the inspection findings. A combination
of preventive measures along with pesticide treatment which may include treatment of the turf,
trees and ornamentals may be required.

Depending on the situation , several treatments may be necessary for control and a
maintenance program may have to be put into place to maintain control.