Pharaoh Ant (Larva/Pupa)

Natural Habitat

Nests in warm, moist, dark crevices. Frequently found indoors in wall voids, under floors, and in kitchens or hospitals.

Diet & Feeding

Broad diet including proteins, fats, and sweets. In households, they often consume crumbs, grease, and sugary liquids.

Behavior Patterns

Nesting involves large colonies with multiple queens (polygyny). They exhibit a behavior called 'budding,' where a new colony forms when a portion of the old colony migrates with a queen, often triggered by disturbance or chemical treatment.

Risks & Benefits

Major structural pest; particularly dangerous in hospitals as they can spread pathogens like Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Salmonella across surfaces. They offer little to no ecosystem benefit in human-inhabited environments.

Identified on: 3/12/2026