Call today for a free quote!  866-437-8171
Cluster of pharaoh ants by a drop of water - Keep pharaoh ants away from your home with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Pharaoh Ant

Actual Size: 1/16″ to 1/8″

Characteristics: Small with a light yellow to reddish hue, along with distinctive black markings on their abdomen

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: No

Habitat: Prefer to reside close to moisture and often establish their colonies in hard-to-reach areas within homes and buildings. Common nesting sites include behind baseboards, inside wall voids, beneath floors, and around kitchen and bathroom areas. Their preference for secluded and moist environments makes them a common but unwelcome guest in domestic and commercial settings.

Habits:

  • Comprise over 300,000 individuals with multiple queens, enhancing their ability to spread rapidly.
  • Known for their “budding” behavior. When disturbed, they can fragment and establish new colonies quickly.
  • The ability to split and form new colonies makes Pharaoh ants particularly difficult to control once they infest an area.
  • Pharaoh ants are omnivorous, feeding on sweets, proteins, and other insects, dead or alive.


Pharaoh Ants in Central Arkansas

In the Central Arkansas, Pharaoh ants are a notable nuisance due to their robust colonies and invasive nature. They can outcompete native ant species, dominating local ecosystems. These ants thrive both indoors and outdoors, frequently nesting in well-protected indoor areas and in lawns and gardens.

Pharaoh Ant Habitat

Their nests are usually located near water sources, such as kitchen and bathroom areas in homes, and near sprinkler systems and cooling units outdoors. In commercial facilities like hospitals and food-processing plants, they often infiltrate kitchens, laundry rooms, boiler rooms, and places with high moisture and warmth.

Pharaoh Ant Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Although Pharaoh ants are not known to bite, they pose health risks by transmitting pathogens, including salmonella and streptococcus. Their small size allows them to infiltrate virtually any space, potentially contaminating food and surfaces in kitchens and healthcare facilities. Traditional pest control methods often prove ineffective against Pharaoh ants due to their budding behavior.

If a Pharaoh ant infestation is suspected, it is recommended to contact a professional ant exterminator.