Pharaoh ants are a lot more difficult to control than other types. It also takes a
completely different approach. Positive identification is the most important part of
control for this ant. It is known for easily dividing into many smaller colonies
throughout the structure if treated with anything other than a bait product. Baiting is the only way to gain control and this may take months even with a dedicated effort.
Colonies range in size from thousands to several hundred thousands of members. Each established
colony will contain several hundred reproductive females as well as workers and queens. New colonies
are formed through a budding process with as few as 5 workers, 10 pre adults, and 1 queen. As you can tell it does not take much for a new colony to form if the right group of members are broken off from the regular pheromone trails leading to the primary colony. Only about 10% of the workers are out foraging at a time.
They are a tremendous problem in multi unit/floor structures such as apartment complexes, hospitals,
prisons, and homes. Their preferred nesting sites are in warm secluded areas in walls, sub floors,
electrical and switch plate boxes, cracks, gaps, holes, or similar areas. They commonly use electrical and phone lines as a path to travel within a structure.
They prefer meats and greases and will eat dead or live insects. Other food choices include items
containing sugar such as syrup, fruit juices, jellies, and cakes. In hospitals they can be a real nuisance due to the habit of infesting patients wounds, surgical suites and feeding on newborn infant secretions and IV tubes. For trail and nest areas look near water sources including sink and drain areas even potted plants.
Pharaoh/Odorous Ant Control
Control of this ant differs from other ants. Baits are the only method of control. Do not under any
circumstances use any spray or liquid residual materials. If a residual is used it will divide up the colony into many smaller colonies throughout the structure.