| Appearance |
 Yellow
to reddish; very
small, 1/16- to 1/8-inch long. |
| Habitat |
|
Pharaoh ants nest almost anywhere
that provides
protection. They are extremely opportunistic and have been found
nesting in
walls, furniture, appliances, between folded sheets, hollow curtain
rods,
inside irons and under roofing shingles. They have a high daily water
requirement and prefer warm, humid areas close to food and water.
Workers range
widely from the nest and establish visible trails to food and water
sources.
They travel from room to room via hidden plumbing pipes and electrical
wires. |
| Diet |
|
Food of all types, but especially sweets. Will also eat other insects.
|
| Control |
|
Pharaoh ant
control can be very difficult. Using contact insecticides
will cause them
to fracture or split into two or more colonies to survive. Baiting
forging
trails and suspected areas of activity is the most effective pharaoh ant control
method. Do not spray or disturb ants or bait stations, and avoid
using cleaners around bait
placements
as this can destroy the integrity of pheromone trails. Pharaoh ants can be especially
problematic in nursing homes and hospitals. You must seek professional
assistance when dealing with Pharaoh ant infestations. |
|
