Pharaoh Ant

Natural Habitat

Nests in almost any protected crevice in structure (walls, behind baseboards, in furniture). They prefer warm, humid areas near food sources like kitchens and bathrooms.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivorous; they feed on sweets (sugar, honey), proteins (meat, dead insects), and fats (grease, peanut butter).

Behavior Patterns

They are a social insect with a multi-queen colony system. They engage in 'budding' where a queen and workers break off to start a new colony, which makes them notoriously difficult to control with insecticide sprays.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Major nuisance pest; can transmit pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and Staphylococcus to sterile environments; particularly problematic in hospitals where they can contaminate equipment and wounds. Benefits: None significant in human dwellings.

Identified on: 3/1/2026