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Pharaoh Ant

Identification

Pharaoh ants are small, measuring around 1/16 to 1/12 inch (1.5–2.0 mm). They are yellowish to red and are often confused with thief ants. However, they can be distinguished by the 3 segments in the club-like structure at the end of their antennae.

Environment

While detecting a pharaoh ant infestation is usually easy, locating their nest can be challenging. Pharaoh ants tend to colonize warm, humid areas indoors, such as:

  • Near drains, pipes, or wiring
  • Between wall voids
  • Among books and sheets of paper
  • Behind baseboards and refrigerators
  • Inside clothing
  • Electrical switch boxes

Pharaoh ants may forage up to 115 feet away from their nest, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the infestation.

Threats

Pharaoh ants can cause significant damage and pose health risks:

  • Structural Damage: They damage wooden structures and foam insulation.
  • Health Risks: While their bites are not poisonous, they can transmit diseases and cause pain.
  • Contamination: Pharaoh ants can contaminate food, sterile equipment, and even wounds in flesh.
  • Hospital Infestations: These ants are particularly concerning in hospitals, where they infest sealed sterile dressing, medical equipment, and even patient wounds. They can transmit harmful organisms such as:
    • Clostridium: Linked to tetanus, botulism, and necrotizing intestinal tissue.
    • Streptococcus: Can cause various infections.

Pharaoh ants often feed in unhygienic areas, such as drains and refuse bins, further increasing the risk of contamination.

Treatment

Pharaoh ants reproduce rapidly under optimal conditions, so early and effective control is essential.

What Not to Do

  • Avoid Spraying: Spraying can worsen the problem as pharaoh ants respond to danger by “budding,” or creating satellite nests.

Effective Treatment

  • Strategic Baiting: Baiting is the most effective method to eliminate pharaoh ants. However, using the wrong type of bait can also lead to budding.
  • Professional Assistance: Trained professionals locate ant trails and strategically place bait for effective control.

Controlling a pharaoh ant infestation may take several months to a year due to their complex network of nests.