Pharaoh ants are highly prolific ants. They have many queens, and they may transmit germs.
Pharaoh ants are very small, approximately 1/12" long. They are described as light yellow or golden reddish in colour. Pharaoh ants have a wide food preference, and for this very reason they are difficult to control. They will eat almost anything including but not limited to maple syrup, cake, fruit juice, honey, grease, meat, and other insects. When one ant finds food, many others will join the first, and together they will completely cover it. Pharaoh ants may be carried into a home in a variety of ways. They may be brought in packaged food, a bag, laundry, pots of household plants, etc. In warm climates, nests may be located outside, and the ants could wander in through an open door or window. In general, nests are not found. The nests are located behind walls, under floors, above ceilings, and behind baseboards, for example. The nests are usually near sources of moisture and heat. There may be thousands of ants in a nest. Once a nest is established, it may split at any time to form a new nest. This process is called "budding", and is able to occur because pharaoh ant colonies have many queens. Because of this quality, when a nest experiences stress (is disturbed in some way), it may bud and cause new nests to "pop up" nearby. This spreading of pharaoh ant colonies is another factor that makes the problem difficult to treat. The ants themselves are generally spotted in places where there is a high degree of moisture such as around windows, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, dishwashers, and refrigerators. They are also often found around light fixtures and window sills where dead insects are likely to accumulate. Because pharaoh ant nests are rarely found, and spreading occurs readily and quickly, we recommend hiring a professional to come assess and treat the problem. Do not spray the ants with any pesticide, as killing a few ants will bring stress to the colony and cause it to spread. Yes. No. Because they are brought in unknowingly, it is impossible to prevent them. Furthermore, because pharaoh ants feed on such a wide variety of foods, and moisture is so easy to come by in a home, they will likely be able to establish a nest quickly once they are inside.