White-Footed Ant

Black to dark brown body 2.5–3 mm with abruptly pale yellow-white tarsi ('feet'), the diagnostic field character. Single hidden petiole node. No odor when crushed. Trails along tree limbs, soffits, fascia, and screened lanais, often the most visible trails are not on the ground but several feet above eye level.

Polygyne and polydomous, colonies of 8,000 to 3 million workers distributed across many connected nests in a single landscape. Roughly half of all individuals are non-reproductive 'intercaste' females that lay unfertilized male-producing eggs (haploid males). New colonies form by budding. Strongly arboreal; primary nests are typically in tree canopies and palm boots, with satellite nests in attics and wall voids.

One of the most difficult structural ants in Florida. Sheer worker count overwhelms baits. Trails persistently across screened pool enclosures, soffits, attics, and decks. Not medically or structurally significant, but the volume is the problem.

Aggressive non-repellent perimeter and canopy program, not bait-first. Treat trees and shrubs that touch or overhang the structure with a labeled non-repellent. Apply non-repellent perimeter band on foundation, soffits, and fascia. Reduce honeydew supply by managing scale, mealybug, and aphid infestations on landscape plants, this is the single highest-leverage step.

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