Pharaoh Ants

What are Pharaoh ants?

Small ants that originated from Africa, Pharaoh ants cause big problems inside of homes and businesses—especially hospitals and other health care facilities. Pharaoh ants thrive indoors, taking advantage of the artificial heat homes and other structures provide them. The colony’s worker ants only grow to about 1/16th of an inch in length. Their queens are about double the size of the workers. Pharaoh ants are yellow to light brown with an abdomen that is much darker in color.

Why do I have a problem with Pharaoh ants?

These indoor loving pests have the potential to become a problem inside any space that provides them with steady temperatures and easy access to food. The places that Pharaoh ants frequently invade and nest in Washington State include hospitals, hotels, grocery stores, food storage facilities, and our homes. Being omnivores, Pharaoh ants can feed on a wide variety of foods but are especially attracted to oils, proteins, and sugars.

Where do Pharaoh ants nest?

Pharaoh ants prefer to create indoor nests, but do sometimes also nest outside, especially in warmer parts of the country. They like to nest in the soil under leaves, fallen trees, mulch, rocks, and landscaping ties. Inside, they like to nest in areas of a structure that are warm and near sources of moisture. Indoor nesting spots include behind baseboards, under floors, in crawl spaces, and behind wall voids near hot water pipes.

Pharaoh ants often have multiple nesting sites which makes these ants particularly difficult to control. After the colony is disturbed or they detect a toxic substance they will "bud." Budding is when a single queen and a group of workers flee the nest to create a new nesting site and colony. Budding allows there to be many different colonies of Pharaoh ants living in a small area.

Are Pharaoh ants dangerous?

Yes, Pharaoh ants are dangerous ants. They are not only an annoyance to deal with and contaminate food, but they also spread disease pathogens that make people ill. Pharaoh ants spread things like salmonella and streptococcus inside of the structures they are nesting within. These ants may become a problem in any structure but are of particular concern inside of hospitals and nursing homes. Pharaoh ants have high moisture needs and often find their way inside of IV bags. They also seek moisture from patients’ wounds, mouths, and eyes.

How do I get rid of Pharaoh ants?

Accurate identification of the ant and location of the nest(s) is essential if you want to get rid of a Pharaoh ant colony for good. At Prosite, we offer comprehensive pest control solutions in Ellensburg and the surrounding communities that include an inspection. When you contact us, we’ll conduct a thorough inspection of the property to identify the type of ant and the severity of the infestation. We’ll also locate entry points and determine what conditions in or around your structure are attracting them. Upon completion of our inspections, we’ll discuss our findings and recommend a treatment plan to get rid of the Pharaoh ants.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Pharaoh ant control services, contact Prosite today.

How do I prevent problems with Pharaoh ants?

At Prosite, we recommend implementing the following helpful Pharaoh ant prevention tips:

• Inspect the foundation and exterior walls, sealing any openings discovered.
• Place weather stripping around windows and doors.
• Install door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Place covers on vents entering inside your home.
• Use expanding foam to seal spaces around utilities entering into your home.
• Place locking lids on outdoor trash cans, recycling bins, and compost bins.
• Trim overgrown landscaping, tall grass, and tree branches back away from your home’s exterior walls.
• Remove fallen trees, logs, and piles of leaves from your yard.
• Use dehumidifiers or air-conditioners to keep humidity levels low in your home.
• Repair leaky pipes and fixtures.