Types of Ants :: Pharaoh Ants :: Printer-Friendly Version
Ant Origin & Distribution
Pharaoh ants originated in tropical Africa, but have been spread extensively by man and now exist in regions worldwide. They are most common in the southern states but can be found anywhere in the United States. Because colder temperatures can have adverse effects on pharaoh ants, their colonies have difficulties living outdoors year round, except in subtropical areas of Florida, Hawaii and Texas. In the northern states, pharaoh ant populations are most common indoors in commercial sites (apartments, hotels, hospitals, etc.). They are extremely portable and are easily moved from one location to another by movement of household goods and through commerce.
Ant Identification
Pharaoh ants are small, golden yellow to red ants with black markings on the top of the gaster (the enlarged section of the abdomen). They are very small ants about 1/16" to 1/12" in length and all the workers are the same size. They can be seen trailing at a relatively slow pace in narrow trails. Pharaoh ants can be easily confused with thief ants. A pest control professional or county or state extension specialist may be needed to provide a positive identification.
Ant Biology
Pharaoh ant colonies can be large (up to 300,000 ants) with multiple queens. Multiple queens give these ants a high reproductive capacity. Pharaoh ants can nest in many indoor and outdoor habitats. Warm and moist habitats are preferred. Indoor areas where nests may be found include kitchens, bathrooms, heating pipes, radiators, sinks, drains, vanities, and toilets. Pharaoh ant nests can be located in wall voids, cabinet voids, behind baseboards, wallboards, insulation, in curtain rods, boxes, sacks, outlets, spigots, newspapers, expansion joints, drop ceilings, etc.
Pharaoh ant colonies are mobile and the queens and workers will move if conditions are difficult. This may result in the formation of satellite colonies because of overcrowding, unfavorable temperature, inadequate food availability or the presence of repellent materials (cleaners, bleaches, certain repellent insecticides, etc.). This "budding" behavior can lead to heavy populations of ants with multiple, separate colonies within homes and structures. The new colonies do not have to be connected to the parent colony. Because they are often hidden in inaccessible areas, nests are often difficult to find. Pharaoh ant colonies do produce winged kings and queens (swarmers) but they will almost never perform a mating flight. If swarming ants are seen in a structure, they are almost certainly not pharaoh ants. Almost all their reproduction occurs within the nest.
Ant Habits
Pharaoh ants are trailing ants, however, since the ants are small, the trails can be hard to find. They are mainly active at night but can be found trailing both day and night. When temperatures are favorable, indoor pharaoh ant colonies may forage outdoors for food and water. In southern states they may move from structure to structure. Indoor infestations in subtropical environments may originate from outdoors and trails may connect inside and outside nests, although they are not always connected. Outdoors trails can be found along fences, porches, windowsills, doorways, and along the edges of bricks and siding. Trails can also be found along gutters and roof shingles. Indoors, trails are often hidden from view and may be located behind baseboards, cabinets and walls. Ants may use the wires and pipes in the walls as guidelines to travel throughout the structure. Sometimes they are seen entering a room through electrical outlets and switches. Pharaoh ants are omnivores feeding on fats, simple proteins and sweet-based foods. Examples include syrups, jellies, cakes, fruit pies, greases, shoe polish, sponges, etc. Protein food sources can include dead insects and other animals. Historically, mint apple jelly and egg yolks have been used successfully as baits for these ants.
Ant Control
If you think you might have a Pharaoh ant infestation in your home, it's imperative that you contact a certified and licensed pest control professional
to inspect the situation and confirm identification. Experts will advise against do-it-yourself options, as it is much more efficient and cost-effective to have a trained set of eyes identify the correct ant species and recommend effective treatment options specific to an individual infestation. Improper do-it-yourself options may result in killing a few ants, while the rest of the colony simply relocates to other areas around and inside the structure.