Hogarth's Pest Control specializes in all types of industries, residential and commercial.
Pharaoh ants are tiny ants that are yellow to orange in color and around 1/16th of an inch long. You can find these ants in most urban centers throughout the U.S.— they nest in wall voids, cracks in wood, stacks of paper, bed liners, and desk drawers. They are notorious for being a major indoor nuisance pest! Pharaoh ants get their name from the belief that they were one of the plagues of Egypt during the time of Pharaohs; however, this was deemed false. This species was thought to be native to Africa but in recent years has been found throughout the United States.
Habits
Colonies of pharaoh ants tend to be large in size, with workers numbering in the thousands. If disturbed, members of the colony will migrate to new locations to establish several new colonies through a process called budding.
This species of ants have multiple queens and increase by dividing the colony amongst the different queens. Throughout her lifetime, a queen pharaoh ant can produce approximately 400 eggs, which she usually lays in batches of 10 to 12 at a time. Unlike carpenter ants, pharaoh ants do not swarm. They typically feed on sugars, meats, greasy food items, and even other insects. In addition, they prefer to nest in kitchens, paper storage containers, office equipment, medical storage facilities, and laboratory benches.
Pharaoh Ant Prevention
- Seal all possible points of entry around the house, including small openings and cracks around all doors and windows.
- Keep counters and floors clean and free of crumbs.
- Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.
- Eliminate sources of standing water outside and use a dehumidifier indoors to prevent moisture buildup.
- Keep tree branches and shrubbery well-trimmed and away from the house.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house or structure.
- Consider working with a pest professional to employ a preventative pest management plan.
