Monomorium
pharaonis
Pharaoh Ant
Characteristics –
Size : Very small, about 1/8-inch in length and may easily be confused
with several other types of pest ants.
Color : Yellow
Viewed under magnification,
the antennae of the pharaoh ant have 10 total segments and end
in a three-segmented antennal club.
Behavior
This pest ant can be very difficult to control and eliminate.
When foraging worker ants are killed by residual treatments, the
colony will fracture or split into two or more colonies to ensure
part of the colony survives. If such treatments are continued,
the infestation is spread throughout the building. Pharaoh ants
typically establish themselves in areas near moisture, such as
the kitchen or bathroom. They travel from room to room within
the walls via plumbing pipes and electrical wires.
Habitat
Pharaoh ants will nest in virtually any site that provides
protection. Colonies have been found nesting in walls, furniture
and appliances, but they have also been discovered in unique locations
such as between the folds of sheets in closets, hollow curtain
rods, inside irons, in small boxes and under roofing shingles.
They are extremely opportunistic in their selection of nesting
sites.
Tips for Control
Pharaoh ants can only be controlled by effective placement
of ant baits. The type of bait that is ultimately successful is
one on which the colony or colonies involved will feed for an
extended period of time. The foraging workers return the bait
to the colony, feeding it to other workers, larvae and queens.
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