Orlando Pest Control. Pharaoh ants originated in Africa but are now spread throughout the world. Small and difficult to control, Pharaoh Ants are one of the biggest nuisances in the United States. They feast on sweet and greasy food and are often referred to as ‘sugar ants’ because of their love for sugary food. They are capable of transmitting more than a dozen diseases.
The warm and humid temperature of Florida is perfect for breeding of Pharaoh ants. These tiny pests have developed into a sturdy and sophisticated species through evolution, which makes it difficult to eradicate them on your own. You will require the help of the Orlando Pest Control to get rid of these devious little invaders, and this article will tell you why!
If you have specific questions about Pharaoh ants, check out our FAQ section.
Did you know?The Pharaoh ants are believed to be the cause of one of the Egyptian insect plagues in the times of Pharaoh. It is where they get their name from. |
Pharaoh Ants Quick Facts
Color Yellowish Brown | Scientific Name Monomorium pharaonis | Family Formicidae |
| Lifespan: Workers: 9 -10 weeks Males: 3 – 5 weeks | Riddance: Orlando Pest ControlCall All American Pest Control (321) 559-7378. | Habitat: Warm and humid places that are hidden |
Size:– Inches (2.0 mm) | Food: Sugary Food! | Antennae: yes! |
Is It A Pharaoh Ant? – Identifying A Pharaoh Ant
Pharaoh ants are often confused with thief ants because of their size. These tiny invaders are 1/16th of an inch in size that is just about 2 millimeters. The body color of the worker ant is yellow-brown with a darker abdomen. The males are slightly longer (3 millimeters) and darker than the female worker ants. The queen is the largest (3.6 to 5-millimeter-long) and has a dark red color. The male and the queen are winged.
Pharaoh ants have well developed black eyes and mandibles with four teeth. Their thorax is spineless. They have a stinger, but it is nonfunctional. Unlike two-clubbed antennas of thief ants, Pharaoh ants have three-clubbed antennas that sense vibrations and aid vision in low light. These ants have a hairy abdomen that can detect the weather or any touch. Since they are arthropods, Pharaoh ants have a hard exoskeleton made of chitin with a waxy cuticle.
Habitat Of The Pharaoh Ants
Distributed all across the United States, Pharaoh ants thrive in warm and humid conditions. This means Florida’s tropical climate provides optimal conditions for their breeding.
Extreme opportunists, Pharaoh ants will nest in any hidden place. Their colonies could be set in your house walls, cracks of your kitchen cabinets, boxes lying in your pantry, or even in piles of trash.
Don’t be surprised to find their nesting site in the fold of the bedsheet you haven’t used in a while or the holes of your hollow curtain rods. Since they usually nest near a food and water source, their colonies could be found in bathrooms as well.
Their nest is tiny, and it is difficult to measure its population size. Pharaoh ants are robust enough to survive most of the conventional domestic pest control treatments. You will need the help of Orlando Pest Control to get rid of these bugs.
Did you know?Pharaoh ants are known to have breached the security of recombinant DNA laboratories. |
The Lifestyle Of The Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are generally found near moisture and food source. They love sugary food and hence are sometimes referred to as “sugar ants.” These ants are omnivorous, which means they feed on chocolate, jam, honey, meat, and dead insects.
Their behavior is organized through pheromones – a chemical produced by ant species to communicate among themselves. Different types of pheromones send different messages that can be detected by other members through their antennas. They can be used to recognize members of the colonies. Some pheromones secreted by the Pharaoh ants include:
- Recruitment Pheromone: draws other worker ants towards the nesting site.
- Alarm Pheromone: released upon death to alert the other members.
- Trail Pheromone: perhaps the most important one; the trail pheromone is left on the surfaces to guide other worker ants to the food sources.
A typical Pharaoh ant colony entails queens (fertile females), workers (infertile females), males, and baby ants in various stages of development. Several queens in one nest mean that their rate of survival is indefinite.
Often, one of the queens will accompany a few worker ants with eggs out of the nest to a new colony. This behavior is called budding and is one of the main reasons why getting rid of Pharaoh ant infestation on your own is almost impossible. If you are unable to eradicate the colony by any chance, it will lead to the formation of several new colonies.
Life Cycle Of The Pharaoh Ants
The lifespan of Pharaoh ants varies. Queens tend to live for 4-12 months; worker ants live up to 10 weeks, and male ants survive for only 3-5 weeks.
Though small, pharaoh ants are quite complex. A Pharaoh ant must go through multiple developmental changes to turn into an adult. These developmental changes can be broken down into four stages:
Stage 1: Pharaoh Ant Eggs
Each queen lays up to 400 eggs in her lifetime. Fertilized eggs grow into female pharaoh ants, whereas unfertilized eggs turn into male ants. It takes about 45 days for an egg to turn into an adult.
Stage 2: Pharaoh Ants Larva
It takes about five to six days for an egg to hatch into worm-shaped larvae. The larvae have not developed legs and eyes yet. The queen feeds the larvae regularly as they develop through multiple growth phases.
Stage 3: Pharaoh Ants Pupa
In 22-24 days, larvae grow big enough to enter the next stage; metamorphosis. It undergoes molting, entering the pupal state. This is the most vulnerable stage of development. The pupae do not eat and are almost inactive. It takes about 9-12 days for the pupae to turn into a fully mature adult.
Stage 4: Pharaoh Ants Adults
Once the pupa has developed into a fully grown ant, it can be classified into one of the three casts:
- Queen (Fertile female ant)
- Worker ant (Infertile female ant)
- Male
Pharaoh Ants Infestation
Pharaoh ants make their way into our houses through poorly sealed doors, cracked window screens, and open doors. They are so tiny that they can also come in through telephone lines and cable. These invaders get attracted by food crumbs, sweet drinks, and moisture. Once inside, they start forming colonies; when the colonies get big enough, they start budding, and soon it becomes nearly impossible to get rid of these sneaky invaders.
Threats Of Pharaoh Ants Infestation
Pharaoh ants can contaminate food and utensils. They are responsible for transmitting several pathogens like salmonella, streptococcus, and staphylococcus, to name a few. These pests are especially dangerous in hospitals where they can contaminate sterile equipment and patient’s wounds.
Eradication Of Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are one of the most challenging pests to get rid of. They are strong enough to survive most home remedies of eradication. Trying to get rid of them on your own might cause a bigger problem. Professional help from Orlando Pest Control is your best chance at getting rid of the Pharaoh ants. All American Pest Control gives the best Pest Control packages in Orland! You can reach them at (321) 559-7378.
FAQ
How long does a Pharaoh ant live?
It depends on the cast. Male Pharaoh ants live up to 5 weeks, worker ants live for 9-10 weeks, whereas a queen has a life span of 4-12 months.
What do Pharaoh ants eat?
Sugary food. Pharaoh ants love to feast on sweet and fatty food! They are omnivores, so meat and dead insects are also a part of their appetite.
How do Pharaoh ants get into my house?
Unsealed doors and cracked windowpanes. As small as they are, Pharaoh ants could make their way into your house through the tiniest cracks and gaps.
Are Pharaoh ants dangerous?
Yes! Pharaohs are capable of transmitting more than a dozen pathogens. They can contaminate food, sterile equipment, and even open wounds!
How can I get rid of Pharaoh ants?
Pharaoh ants are one of the most difficult ants to get rid of! Call an exterminator. All American Pest Control is the best Orlando Pest Control company! You can call them at (321) 559-7378.