Pharaoh Ant

Natural Habitat

Nests in warm, humid areas; frequently found indoors in kitchens, bathrooms, and hospitals behind walls or under floors.

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic omnivores; they eat sweets, fats, proteins, and other insects. In clinical settings, they have been known to feed on biological fluids.

Behavior Patterns

Form large, multi-queen colonies. They exhibit 'budding,' where a group of workers and queens split from the main colony to start a new nest, often in response to stress or chemical treatments.

Risks & Benefits

Significant indoor pests. In hospitals, they can spread pathogens such as Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. They are difficult to eradicate with sprays, which may cause the colony to fragment further.

Identified on: 1/13/2026