Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh Ants are very small, only about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long. They are light yellow to reddish brown and almost translucent in color on the front sections, with the very back abdomen being a darker brown to blackish color. Pharaoh Ants have antennae that end in a distinctive club shape. They were named for the mistaken belief that they were one of the biblical plagues of Egypt.

 

Pharaoh Ants like to live in warm, protected spaces. While they can survive outdoors, they prefer inside spaces that maintain a consistent temperature and humidity. They particularly like kitchens and bathrooms, which provide access to moisture and food, and hidden places like behind baseboards and in the walls.

 

Pharaoh Ants are able to split their colonies when they feel threatened. Attempts to eliminate one colony may result in several other colonies breaking off and settling in other parts of the building. Pharaoh Ants multiply quickly, with queens breaking off to start their own colonies when laying their first generation of eggs. 

 

While Pharaoh Ants don't bite or sting, they can spread diseases by contaminating food and surfaces. Due to their small size, they are able to gain access to hard-to-reach areas. This means they can easily spoil food (even in some packaging). After having been in drains, trash cans, toilets, and other unsanitary places, these ants can leave those pathogens on surfaces and inside food. Pharaoh Ants can transmit diseases, like salmonella, streptococcus, staphylococcus, and botulism.

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For even more information on Pharaoh Ants, check out our blog post