About White-footed Ants

White-footed ants are found in rural and urban areas. They nest in locations with proximity to sources of moisture. Their preferred nesting sites are also close to sources of food and protect them from possible predators. The outdoor nesting sites of white-footed ants include old termite galleries. They also nest under rocks and loose barks as well as in decaying tree trunks and branches. The indoor nesting sites of the ants include shingles, wall voids, kitchens, attics, and bathrooms.

A colony could be made up of several nests. Colonies may also interconnect leading to one super colony. White-footed ants apply their large populations to establish themselves in an area. Generally, the insects nest outdoors rather than indoors. Indoor infestations of white-footed ants begin when they access structures through connecting tree branches. They can access structures through entry points such as small crevices and gaps. They may then create indoor nests or simply go from the foraging sites to the outdoor nests, using scented trails.

The ants live in medium-sized to large colonies. The population of the colonies ranges from a few thousand to a few million. The colonies have many fertile females known as intercastes. White-footed ants swarm yearly between July and August. The reproducers mate and begin a new colony this way. They also establish new colonies with intercastes which engage in budding.

The ants feed on dead insects as well as sources of protein and sugar. Honeydew is one of the sugar sources which they feed on. They usually forage tree branches in search of the sap-sucking insects that produce honeydew. Typically, white-footed ants create trails from their nesting sites to foraging sites by producing pheromones. This is so that other nest-dwelling insects can join the foragers when they find suitable food sources.