Have you ever spotted a trail of tiny, reddish-brown ants marching across your kitchen counter and wondered where they are coming from? These might be pharaoh ants, often confused with sugar ants, because of their shared preference for sweet foods; however, there’s nothing sweet about them. Don’t let their tiny size fool you – a pharaoh ant infestation is the stuff of nightmares, as these pests are notoriously difficult to eliminate.
Pharaoh ants can take root in residential homes and businesses, setting persistent colonies. Even worse, their presence can jeopardise sanitary conditions in hospitals, nurseries, and care homes. But where do these relentless insects come from? Today, we will answer this question because understanding pharaoh ants’ points of entry is crucial to effective control and prevention.
The Global Spread of Pharaoh Ants
Although pharaoh ants are not native species to the UK, they are a huge problem in London and all over England. These pests may originate from the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia, but they have spread worldwide thanks to global trade and international travel. Pharaoh ants thrive in hot and humid conditions. However, they have adapted remarkably well to temperate climates.
Because they need temperatures above 18 °C to breed, they build their nests in heated buildings, establishing large colonies in various environments, including residential properties and public and commercial buildings. Once introduced to a new location, they can quickly lay eggs and spread to neighbouring areas.
The Life Cycle of a Pharaoh Ant
Pharaoh ants are social insects living in colonies with a complex caste system. A typical colony consists of worker ants (sterile females), fertile males, and one or more fertile queens. Unlike many ant species, pharaoh ant colonies can have multiple queens, leading to rapid population growth.
The life cycle of a Pharaoh ant begins with the queen laying eggs. These eggs hatch into larvae, which worker ants nurture. The larvae transform into pupae before emerging as adult ants. Under ideal conditions, the entire life cycle of a Pharaoh ant can be completed in as little as five weeks.
Ants form new colonies through a process called budding. Disruptions to existing nests often trigger budding. Adult ants migrate to a new location and establish a new colony when disturbed. Workers build temporary nests while they search for a suitable permanent site. This ability to quickly establish new colonies, especially in mobile environments like vehicles or equipment, contributes to their widespread distribution and makes them challenging to eradicate.
How Do Pharaoh Ants Get Inside?
London’s unpredictable weather is far from ideal for pharaoh ants, so they search for food and shelter in heated buildings. These pests typically sneak inside through open windows and doors, torn window screens, poorly sealed doors, or other entryways. Keeping doors, windows, patio, and shutters closed and tightly sealed when not used can limit ants’ access.
However, the tiny pharaoh ant can also get in through cracks and holes in walls, foundations and outdoor siding. It’s important to note that, unlike other pests, bringing pharaoh ants home on your clothes or in your luggage is very rare. So, keep in mind that accidental introductions are almost impossible if you are trying to determine the reasons for an infestation.
Where Do Pharaoh Ants Nest?
Pharaoh ants search for warm, dark, and undisturbed locations to establish their nests and lay eggs. Here are the most common places they hide:
- Within walls: The spaces between walls, especially near heating pipes, are prime locations.
- Under structures: Areas beneath floors, skirting boards, and appliances provide ideal nesting conditions.
- In debris: Bins, piles of debris, and cluttered areas can harbour pharaoh ant colonies.
- Outdoors: Nests can be located in the soil near building foundations or under rocks and other outdoor objects.
Pharaoh ants are very adaptable pests that can thrive in various environments, making their detection and eradication challenging. Identifying and eliminating potential nesting sites is crucial for effective pharaoh ant control.
The Pharaoh Ants Impact on Homes and Businesses
Pharaoh ants are considered a significant pest due to their ability to sneak into various building areas, including kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and service areas, as long as they are properly heated. They are attracted to foods containing sugar and proteins and can contaminate food items and surfaces.
In addition, pharaoh ants can pose a serious health risk. These ants are known to carry and transmit various pathogens, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus. In healthcare facilities, such as hospitals and nursing homes, pharaoh ant infestations can threaten patients’ safety.
Identifying a Pharaoh Ant Infestation
People dealing with infestations often see pharaoh ant workers traversing walls and floors, utilising wiring or hot water pipes as highways. Once a worker discovers a food source, it establishes a chemical trail leading back to the nest. These ants prefer sweet and fatty foods, often making raids to food preparation and storage areas.
You can detect pharaoh ants’ presence by carefully observing their feeding trails and the types of food they consume. Seeing a nest is a sure indicator of an infestation. However, the nests are tiny, and it’s very unlikely to find them in the open. If you suspect an infestation, it’s best to look out for other signs, like spotting a trail of ants or checking food storage and preparation areas.
How to Prevent Pharaoh Ant infestation?
There are several things you can do to stop ants from coming into your home and protect it against these pests:
- Maintain good hygiene by promptly cleaning up spills, regularly wiping surfaces, storing food securely, and frequently disposing of trash to eliminate potential food sources for pharaoh ants.
- Eliminate potential entry points by inspecting your home for cracks and crevices, then sealing gaps around windows, doors, and pipes with caulk or weatherstripping.
- Limit ants’ access to water by repairing leaky pipes and faucets. Use a dehumidifier in humid areas, as moisture and condensation can attract pharaoh ants.
- Call ant control professionals if you suspect a pharaoh ant infestation. Qualified pest control technicians can identify the type of ant you are dealing with and implement effective control measures.
Understanding the biology and behaviour of pharaoh ants and taking these measures can help you prevent and control infestations.
Controlling a Pharaoh Ant Infestation
Controlling pharaoh ants is challenging due to their ability to nest in hard-to-reach areas and survive most conventional pest control methods. Effective pharaoh ant control requires thorough and complete treatment of all foraging areas and potential nesting sites, including walls, ceilings, floor voids, and electrical outlets.
Experienced professionals prefer baiting for pharaoh ants control. Non-repellent baits are most effective. Repellent baits can worsen infestations by causing colonies to fragment and form new colonies. Proper bait placement is crucial for successful eradication. For maximal effectiveness, baits should be strategically placed near ant trails and food sources. A coordinated treatment approach is necessary for multi-unit buildings to address infestations throughout the entire structure. Additionally, perimeter treatments may be helpful to control ants nesting outdoors.
Say Goodbye to Pharaoh Ants
Unfortunately, DIY attempts to deal with a pharaoh ant infestation can only worsen the situation, so it’s best to call a professional ant exterminator as soon as you see any signs of these pests. If you are struggling to eliminate pharaoh ants, contact Toxic Respond today! Thanks to our experience and targeted ant treatment methods, we have removed pharaoh ant infestations from thousands of London homes and businesses.
