Pharaoh Ants In The Home

Pharaoh ants, as well as all species of ants in general, are one of the most annoying of all pests. This species of ants do not bite, but they can be a real nuisance in your home as well as be a danger to your health. Finding them milling around your kitchen if a stray crumb or spill is found or gathering around your bathroom faucet for a little community drinking time is so incredibly annoying. Any type of insect or pest in your home just feels like a violation, no matter how tiny they are. Ants are no exception. The pharaoh ant gets its name from the mistaken belief that they were one of the plagues of Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. Whether that is true or not, if you have a pharaoh ant infestation, you will feel that a plague has descended upon your home. Immediate and efficient pharaoh ant control is an absolute must.

General Information

Pharaoh ants are lighter in color than most ants with yellowish/tan bodies and red or dark brown markings on their abdomens. These ants are attracted to sugary, sticky foods, crumbs and greasy spills and protein based foods like peanut butter. Establishing themselves near areas of moisture such as the kitchen or bathroom is very common. Once a plentiful food source is found, these ants use pheromones to communicate to the rest of the colony so the foraging within your home can begin. These tiny ants are very adept at finding small crevices in your doors, windows and exterior of your home and then they travel within the walls often near plumbing pipes and electrical wires.

The Signs of an Infestation

This type of ant infestation is very common in hospitals, becoming a huge threat since pharaoh ants can spread disease and bacteria such as salmonella, staphylococcus, and Clostridium, which may cause botulism. The greatest concern in hospitals is their threat of contamination within sterile operating rooms, surgical equipment and recovery rooms as these ants get into everything. They are very opportunistic colonizers and will nest anywhere with protection such as in wall spaces, furniture and appliance, folds of sheets in a linen closet, in boxes, roofing shingles or even hollow curtain rods. Their creativity knows no bounds. Finding pharaoh ants in your kitchen could mean dangerous illness such as salmonellosis or dysentery so contaminated food should be immediately discarded and professional ant control from Pointe Pest Control is your next step.

Treatment

Getting rid of a pharaoh ant infestation on your own is nearly impossible. These ants will simply split off from their original colony to create an extension or “budding” colony if they sense danger (such as baits or traps) nearby. Creating budding colonies in another areas of your home makes treating the infestation even more difficult. A queen can lay up to 35 eggs per day and as each day passes in your home, that infestation can quickly grow out of control. Professional pest control technicians know the behaviors of these ants and how to effectively remove them without causing them to scatter, intensifying the infestation. We have helped thousands of homes and businesses remove pharaoh ant infestations quickly, but one key to successful removal is continued treatment and inspections. If they found their way inside once, they will keep trying to make their way inside. Scheduling routine Pointe Pest Control inspections keeps your home and business free of pharaoh ants. Call us today to get rid of pharaoh ants for good!