Pharaoh Ant

Category:

Actual Size: 1/16″ to ⅛”

Characteristics: Small; typically light yellow to red, with black markings on the abdomen. 

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: No

Habitat: Nests are often located in unreachable spots near moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, interior wall voids, under floors, and behind baseboards.

Habits:

  • Will nest in any well-protected and hidden areas throughout a structure.

  • Potentially dangerous in hospitals due to their ability to transmit disease organisms.

  • Will “harvest” water from unusual sources, such as aquariums, pet dishes, and refrigerator condensation.

Pharoah Ants in Baton Rouge

Found throughout Louisiana, Pharaoh ants are notorious for being the most difficult household ant to control. An invasive species, Pharaoh ants build colonies that split off and form new colonies when disturbed. Due to their splintering ability, infestations can spread quickly in homes and businesses, forming colonies with over 300,000 workers and multiple queens. Inside, they will nest in any well-protected and hidden areas throughout a structure and prefer lawns and gardens outside. 

 Pharaoh Ant Habitat

Pharaoh ants feed on sweets, proteins, and live or dead insects, and forage day and night. Attracted to moisture and damp areas, they will nest outside in shaded areas or under debris. In homes and businesses, Pharaoh ant nests are often located in inaccessible spots near moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, interior walls voids, under floors, and behind baseboards. In institutional facilities, such as hospitals, they are found in kitchens, laundries, boiler rooms, and around toilets, heating ducts, and pipes. Workers use electrical wires and plumbing pipes to travel from room to room, allowing them to spread throughout a structure quickly. 

Pharaoh Ant Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

Known to spread more than a dozen disease pathogens, Pharaoh ants are known to spread salmonella and streptococcus. They are potentially dangerous in hospitals as they are capable of transmitting disease organisms. Because of their small size, Pharaoh ants can access almost any space, contaminating food as they forage. And to top it off, this species can survive most conventional household pest control treatments, establishing large colonies throughout a home or building. If a Pharaoh ant infestation is suspected, it is recommended to contact a professional ant exterminator. 

Don’t wait until your home is overrun by ants. Contact Dugas Pest Control today!