Pharaoh Ant (likely a discarded pupal case or debris, identification uncertain due to image quality)

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, particularly heated buildings like hospitals, office blocks, and apartment buildings. They nest in voids, wall spaces, and between sheets of paper or linens.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they feed on sweets (sugar, honey, jelly), proteins (grease, meat, dead insects), and are known to gnaw on silk and rayon.

Behavior Patterns

Pharaoh ants are notorious for 'budding,' where a single colony splits into multiple new colonies, making them difficult to control. They form trails to food sources and are active year-round in heated structures.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major nuisance pest; they can contaminate sterile equipment in hospitals and spread pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and Streptococcus. They do not sting but can bite if threatened. Benefits: Limited ecological role as scavengers in their native tropical range.

Identified on: 2/7/2026