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Pest Library
Size: |
Pharaoh ant workers and males are about 1/16 in (1.5-2
mm) long; queens are about 1/8 in (4 mm). |
Color: |
Body is pale yellow to red; darker abdomen is almost black; queens
are slightly darker. |
Geographic Range: |
Probably native to Africa, but found throughout the U.S. |
Habitat: |
Pharaoh ant nests are usually indoors where there is warmth and
high humidity. They may also be found on the ground outdoors, and
in debris which has collected on a flat roof. |
Food: |
Workers establish trails to feeding spots, and may go far for food
and water. They eat sweets, meat and dead insects. |
Biology: |
Colonies usually have thousands of workers, up to several hundred
thousand. In a large colony there are several hundred females that
can lay eggs. They cannot survive the winter in much of the U.S.;
however, they do overwinter in Florida and Hawaii. Indoors they can
survive year round. There is no swarming. Mating takes place inside
the nest. Development from egg to adult takes about 38 days, if the
temperature is warm. Workers live about 9 or 10 weeks, with only 10%
going out to feed at one time. Queens live much longer, from 4 to
12 months. Males die about 3-5 weeks after mating. New nests can be
formed with as few as 5 workers, 10 preadults and 1 queen. |
Damage: |
Pharaoh ants are believed to spread various diseases. They are a
common problem in hotels, grocery stores, hospitals and apartments. |
Detection: |
- Beware! Common ant repellents actually cause a Pharaoh ant colony
to grow. The ants disappear to find new nest sites and in 7-10
days there are multiple colonies.
- Investigate indoor moisture spots, such as houseplants, sinks,
and bathrooms.
- Check food spots such as pet food dishes, microwave oven, garbage
containers.
- Watch windowsills for dead insects.
- Outdoors, search the building perimeter and shaded parts of
flat roofs, early and late in the day.
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