What do pharaoh ants look like?

These ants are very small, which gives them the ability to crawl into just about anywhere. They are a yellowish tan color and have reddish brown markings on the abdomen.

Where do pharaoh ants live and what do they eat?
These ants live in very large colonies, ranging in size from a few dozen to several thousand! Nesting occurs in areas near a food or water source, and in warm and humid areas. These ants can easily take over, as they “split” colonies by branching off into a new colony, creating a new queen. It’s almost like a new branch of a business, and these ants create a monopoly by dominating the area and creating so many colonies from just one original colony.

Why are pharaoh ants such a nuisance?
These ants specifically are known for their ability to get into anything, anywhere and at any time. They survive most common household pesticide treatments, especially do-it-yourself kits, and are notoriously the most difficult species of ants to remove. Because of their ability to split into new colonies, when a homeowner puts an effort to eradicate pharaoh ants, they might just split up and create an even bigger problem. Some homeowners actually consider moving out! Cases have been reported of infestations in laboratories, medical offices, hospitals, bakeries, apartments, etc. and this poses a big problem because these ants can carry disease. In an ant- infested hospital, newborns and those with open wounds (cuts or burn victims) are subjected to over a dozen diseases such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. In one case, pharaoh ants were observed pursuing moisture from mouths of sleeping babies and from in-use IV bottles, which is a serious health threat.

Do they bite?
Yes, they do bite, but they are not poisonous. Dangers from bites stem from disease at the time of the bite or if they come in contact with an open wound, as they can trasmit disease.

If you see any pharaoh ants in your home, office, hospital, etc. do not try to rid them on your own; this will most likely waste your time and money. Call Oneway Pest Control today, as we have the exact tools necessary to remove these invasive pests!