Pharaoh Ant (Incomplete Specimen/Exuviae)
Scientific Name: Monomorium pharaonis
Order & Family: Order: Hymenoptera; Family: Formicidae
Size: Workers are approximately 1.5 to 2 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Widely distributed worldwide in buildings, particularly in warm, moist areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and heating ducts.
Diet & Feeding
Omnivorous; they feed on a wide variety of fatty foods, proteins, and sweets, often scavenging for crumbs or insects.
Behavior Patterns
They exhibit social behavior with large colonies and are known for 'budding,' where a subset of the colony moves to a new location, making them difficult to control with traditional sprays.
Risks & Benefits
They are considered serious indoor pests that can spread pathogens such as salmonella and streptococcus, especially in hospitals; they offer no significant benefit to indoor environments.
Identified on: 3/27/2026