Pharaoh Ant

Natural Habitat

Almost exclusively indoors in heated structures; they nest in warm, humid areas near food sources, often inside wall voids, behind baseboards, under appliances, or within furniture.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they prefer sweets, fats, and proteins. Common foods include syrups, jellies, grease, meats, dead insects, and even toothpaste or soap.

Behavior Patterns

They form very large colonies with multiple queens (polygyny). Instead of swarming to start new nests, they reproduce by 'budding,' where a queen and a few workers split off to form a satellite colony. They create well-defined foraging trails, often along edges of walls or countertops.

Risks & Benefits

They are a significant nuisance pest in hospitals and homes. They can spread more than a dozen disease pathogens, including Salmonella and Streptococcus, by contaminating sterile equipment, food, and wounds. Their small size allows them to penetrate packaged foods and IV drips.

Identified on: 2/24/2026