Ghost Ants?

[angikay30]

Have you ever heard of Ghost Ants - and are they common in Florida and not a big deal?

Last September we stayed in a Concierge Poly - lagoon view room. A little bit after check-in, we noticed thousands of little tiny bugs all over the nightstand between the queen beds - and the table surface under the television. We wiped them up with a wet paper towel...but they kept reappearing. I freaked out that they were fleas or something (I've never seen fleas - so I had no comparison) - so I walked down to concierge to discuss. No other rooms were available - and they called they're "bug guy" - and without looking at them (the bugs) - they said they were Ghost Ants and they do not bite - and that they're very common in Florida especially with how wet it was at this time last year. They said they'd come the following morning to spray.

I'm allergic to bug bites - I've been bitten by a mosquito on the temple and had the entire half of my face swell up - and my eyes swelled shut - that lasted for 2 days......so, I was VERY nervous about sleeping near these bugs. But it was very late - and had evidently no alternative as they were completely booked.

Gladly, I woke the following morning with NO bites - we did continue to see the bugs for a few days - but by the end of the trip they were gone.

(We love the poly - and are actually going back in a few weeks - so, I'm not meaning to bash poly)

I'm just wondering if there truly is such a thing as 'Ghost Ants' - being from the midwest - I've never heard of such a thing.

Thanks!!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

I have never heard of anything like that, but I give you credit for staying in that room. I get freaked out by bugs and would have asked for another room.

 

[ppjluvsdvc]

Hi!

I am sorry you had an uncomfortable night but unfortunately they are very common. I haven't run into them in Disney per se but at our family's home in Miami they just appear out of no where. Sometimes they are attracted to any crumb no matter how small it is. They do not bite and no matter what you do they keep coming back in different places. That is why the exterminators in Florida and other warm moist climates stay so busy.

 

[Disney1976]

Ghost ants are just another name for "sugar" ants (which is actually a misnomer). They call them ghost ants because they are so tiny. Depending on the season, all ants, including ghost ants, will be attracted to different things -sweet, salty, etc. However, ghost ants also are attracted to water, so it is not uncommon to find them near sinks. They do not bite. In fact, a home remedy for them is to put out a small amount of boric acid as that tends to drive them away. You could also spray them with Windex to "stun" them, then wipe them up with a paper towel, though that won't keep them away.

With regard to ants in Florida and biting, you need to be most careful with fire ants. They don't typically come inside the house, but are most often found in the grass. Get near their mounds, and you will be attacked. Their bites are extremely painful and result in itchy, small, pus filled welts that last about a week. Applying bleach to the bite right afterwards is an excellent way to stop the sting and itch.

 

[Feralpeg]

I had them in my home earlier this year. When it is very wet, they tend to come inside. They are so little, you really have to look to see them. I called the exterminator and got rid of them very quickly.

 

[angikay30]

Thanks for the responses everyone! At first when they mentioned "Ghost Ants" - I thought it sounded crazy...never heard of such a thing! Good to hear they actually do exist....and for anyone that happens to find them in your room - do talk to the front desk about having an exterminator visit your room. That seemed to take care of them.

Also, they REALLY do NOT bite - I would know as I'm terribly allergic to any bug bite....and that first night I did sleep next to probably a thousand of them. All in all - if I HAD to have a bug in my room - these would probably be my preference - lol!

Thanks again for reassuring me!

 

[Luv2Roam]

I never heard of the name ghost ants either. Sugar ants -- yes.
It's FL. That means bugs and critters.
True, sugar ants are just more annoying than anything. But I know what you mean. You don't see just one. You see a gazillion.
As someone mentioned, all it takes is one tiny speck and they are all over if the timing is right for them.