Pharaoh Ants
Serving Toms River, New Jersey, Ozane Termite & Pest Control experiences one of the most regular and pesky ant varieties: the Pharaoh ant. These ants can infest a home structure year-round and are one of the harder varieties of ants to control. Here's what you should know about Pharaoh ants, their behaviors, and how we can help you get rid of them in your home.
Identification of Pharaoh Ants
The Pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus), is small, about 1/16 inch long. The color varies from light yellow to reddish-brown with a darker abdomen. They are easily recognizable besides other species of ants. Even though they are so small, Pharaoh ant infestations can raise giant-sized colonies with thousands of workers and numerous queens. That is how they spread extremely fast throughout the homes and buildings.
Behavior and Habitat
The Pharaoh ants are one of the most invasive ant species that dwell very comfortably indoors, especially in heated buildings. They are highly adaptive and can nest in a number of places such as:
- Wall voids
- Behind baseboards
- Inside electrical outlets and light switches
- In cabinets, pantries, and kitchens
- Around water sources like sinks, pipes, and bathroom fixtures
The Pharaoh ants form large, spreading colonies which often contain multiple queens. This is why they can establish satellite nests in different parts of a home or building, making them very hard to control with over-the-counter ant treatments.
Why Pharaoh Ants Are a Problem
Pharaoh ants are often much more than a nuisance but a real health concern. These ants may potentially contaminate food and surfaces while foraging, and they have been known to spread bacteria such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus, which can cause foodborne diseases. Due to their small size and mobility, they easily attack kitchens and pantries, and even medical facilities like hospitals, where they can spread disease-causing pathogens.
Pharaoh ants are very resilient. When disrupted, they separate their colony into smaller sub-colonies through a process called "budding." This allows them to quickly spread throughout a building, making the elimination of the infestation much more difficult.
Signs of a Pharaoh Ant Infestation
Due to their tiny size and ability to nest in hidden spots, Pharaoh ant infestations can be hard to detect. However, here are some signs that suggest you have a problem:
- Sight of Ant Trails: Look for long trails of Pharaoh ants around areas with food, especially kitchens and pantries. You may see them trailing along walls, countertops, or floors.
- Contamination of Food: Pharaoh ants are drawn to sweet and greasy foods, so you may see them near your pantry or food spills. They may enter food containers or crawl on countertops.
- Nesting Indoors: Pharaoh ants tend to nest in warm, hidden spots inside walls, under appliances, or near pipes and plumbing, unlike many other ant varieties.
How Pharaoh Ants Enter Homes
These ants can easily infiltrate homes through tiny cracks and crevices, often hitchhiking on groceries, packages, or plants. Pharaoh ants are also notorious for spreading into multi-unit buildings through shared plumbing, wiring, or other structural voids. Once indoors, they will nest in warm, sheltered areas and scavenge for food. Because they are highly adaptable and form satellite colonies, Pharaoh ants can infest homes or buildings rapidly, making early detection and treatment crucial.
Similar Pests: Carpenter Ants, Common Ants