Pharaoh Ant

Effective Pharaoh Ant treatment solutions

Interior

Exterior
Central Coast Pest Control & Management - OzPest Solutions

Pharaoh Ant

Effective Pharaoh Ant treatment solutions

Interior

Exterior

Pharaoh Ant

Monomorium pharaonis

Characteristics

The Pharaoh ant is commonly found throughout Australia and can be recognised by its yellow-brown body and prominent black eyes. This ant species is relatively small, with worker ants measuring only 1.5mm to 2mm in length. The queen Pharaoh ant is easily distinguishable by her dark red body, evident wings, and length of 3.6mm to 5mm. Meanwhile, the males are slightly bigger than the workers, measuring 3mm in length and having a darker black body colour.

Habitat

Pharaoh ants thrive in warm and humid conditions, and are commonly found in buildings such as wall voids, near windows, or in plants. They can easily spread through service ducts like heating and electrical conduits as they prefer a warm environment. Pharaoh ants are notorious for infesting buildings and hospitals, particularly in temperate regions. They mostly forage for water around sinks and have a diverse diet that includes meat, cheese, fat, sugar, dead insects, and mice. In hospitals, they are known to feed on blood and other bodily fluids.

Lifecycle

Regarding their life cycle, the Pharaoh ant queens lay around 10 to 12 eggs per batch which will hatch within five to seven days. These eggs develop into larvae and undergo a larval period for 18 to 20 days. It takes approximately 38 to 45 days for the Pharaoh ants to reach full maturity. Unlike most ant species, Pharaoh ants have multiple queens within their colony, and each queen can lay hundreds of eggs throughout their lifetime.

FAQs About Pharaoh Ant

Why are they called pharaoh ants?

Pharaoh ants got their name from the belief that they were one of the plagues in Egypt when pharaohs ruled. Based on older literature, the name was originally pharaoh's ant but was later changed to pharaoh ant.

What is the nature of the colonies of pharaoh ants?

Pharaoh ants are capable of partitioning their colonies to form more colonies. A new colony may arise when a queen and some of its workers detach from the main colony. When there is no queen, workers may assign a queen from a few hundred reproductive females in a single colony.

How do I know if my house is infested with pharaoh ants?

Pharaoh ants can thrive underneath floors and behind walls, which makes them harder to detect. However, when foraging, they can be spotted as amber-coloured ants. This is the most common sign of an infestation. Once you see them, call us for fast service and effective ant treatments.

What our customers say...

Your pest problem solved fast

Request A Quote
close slider
Hunter Valley Pest Control & Management - OzPest Solutions

or fill out the form below

Interior

Exterior
Scroll to Top