Pest Bulletin Pharaoh Ant


Pharaoh ants are very small, about 1/16-inch long. They range from yellow to light brown. They nest in warm, hard-to-reach locations in walls, subfloor areas, attics, cracks, crevices, and behind baseboards.

Pharoh ant colonies have multiple queens, and are very difficult to control. A successful Pharaoh ant control program will involve intensive baiting. Residual insecticides "spray" will affect less than 5% of the colony, and the stress created by the spray will cause the colony to split. This will lead to the colonization of new areas with very little reduction in the existing population.