Pharaoh Ant

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments like buildings, hospitals, and kitchens; nests in wall voids, under floors, and behind baseboards.

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic omnivore; eats sweets, proteins (meats/fats), and other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Multiple-queen colonies; avoids sprays through 'budding' (splitting colonies); highly invasive and persistent indoors.

Risks & Benefits

Risk: Major pest in hospitals as they can mechanically transmit pathogens such as Salmonella and Streptococcus; difficult to eradicate with standard pesticides.

Identified on: 12/28/2025