Common Name: Pharaoh Ant
Scientific Name: Monomorium pharaonis (Linnaeus)
Class/Order/Family: Insecta/Hymenoptera/Formicidae
Metamorphosis: Complete
Introduction
Its name resulted from the mistaken belief of Linnaeus that this ant was one of the plagues of Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs. Pharaoh ants are thought to be native to the African region. This ant is found throughout the United States. Pharaoh ants have been strongly implicated in the spread of various disease pathogens.
Recognition
Workers monomorphic, about 1/16″ (1.5-2.0 mm) long. Body usually pale, varying from yellowish to reddish, with abdomen often darker to blackish. Antenna 12-segmented, with 30segmented club. Thorax lacks spines, profile unevenly rounded. Pedicel 2-segmented. Stinger present. Queens about 1/8″ (4mm) long, with/without wings, and slightly darker in color than workers. Males about 1/16″ (2 mm), winged, black in color, and antenna straight, not elbowed.
Similar Groups
(1) Thief ants (Solenopsis molesta) have antenna 10-segmented with 2-segmented club. (2) Bigheaded (Pheidole megacephala) and fire )Solenopsis spp.) Ants have thorax with 1 pair of spines on upper surface. (3) Other small pale ants with 1-segmented pedicel.
Biology
The colonies tend to be large with workers numbering in the thousands to several hundred-thousand. There are usually several hundred reproductive females present in such a colony. Although winged reproductive are produced, there are no flights of swarmers and mating takes place within the nest. New nests can be formed by “budding” with as few as 5 workers, 10 preadults, and one queen migrating from the original colony. Workers live about 9-10 weeks, with only up to 10% out foraging at any given time. Queens live 4-12 months, and males die about 3-5 weeks after mating. These ants are of particular importance in hospitals where they will enter wounds, enter in-use IV bottles, seek moisture from the mouths of sleeping infants, etc. More than a dozen pathogenic bacteria have been found in Pharaoh ants collected in hospitals.
Habits
Inside, Pharaoh ants nest in warm (80-86F/27-30C), humid (80%) areas near sources of food and/or water. Nest are usually located in inaccessible areas such as wall voids, behind baseboards, in furniture, under floors, and between linens. The workers range widely from the nest in search of food and water, and establish trails to food and water sources. They commonly use electrical and telephone wires as a highway system to travel through walls and between floors. Pharaoh ants are common problems commercial food handling establishments such as hotels, grocery stores, hospitals, and in apartment complexes. Outside, these ants seem to be of little importance today. In the temperate/northern areas of the United States, they usually cannot survive outdoors year round; the senior author has observed outdoor overwintering colonies as far north as Raleigh, NC. However, in the subtropical areas such as Florida and Hawaii, it can survive year round outdoors. They have a wide preference in food, ranging from syrups to fruits, pies, meats, and dead insects. They use carbohydrates primarily for maintenance whereas, protein is primarily required for larval development and egg production by the queens.
Control
Be cautioned that the typical use of liquid or dust pesticides (repellent, versus non-repellent baits containing boric acid, hydramethylon, or sulfonamide) actually makes the situation worse by causing the colony to fracture/bud into several colonies. Immediately after such an application, a false sense of control is given during the 7-10 days it takes for the colonies to relocate and reorganize because ants are not seen. Then the ants resume their foraging activity and again become visible. This cycle can be repeated many times. A thorough initial inspection is crucial to determine ant location(s). Look primarily near moisture sources (potted plants, sinks, etc. ) and secondarily near food sources (pet dish, microwave, garbage can, window sills for dead insects, etc). Prebaiting with non-toxic mint-apple jelly can help to locate ants. Outside, inspect the building perimeter and flat roofs. On roofs they will be found only in shaded areas, so inspect in the early morning and again in the late afternoon because the shaded areas change with the sun’s position. Baiting is usually the only method of effective control. Use one bait station per line of ants. Locate it as close as is practical to where the ants are entering/exiting from the wall, ceiling, appliance, etc., but such that the likelihood of bait station disturbance is minimal. Place the station as close to the line of ants as possible without disturbing them. If the Pharaoh ant infestation is in a multifamily building, the only way such an infestation can be eliminated is inspection and treatment of the entire building. Otherwise, ants will move from non-treated units into ant-free units. If the ants are nesting in the ground on the outside, a perimeter barrier application utilizing a micro encapsulate or a pyrethroid wettable powder formulation is helpful. Pharaoh ants will nest in debris collected on flat roofs and/or those nesting inside will go outside onto flat roofs in warm weather for water and food (dead insects). They typically enter/exit via poorly caulked/defective windows, under the flashing, and/or through weep holes. If the ants are nesting on the roof, threat the floor-wall junction as another building perimeter but include any weep holes. If the ants are nesting in the building, place the bait stations in protected locations such as under the flashing; otherwise, put each in a plastic mouse bait station which is secured by weighting it down with a brick. Be sure to educate the customers about Pharaoh ant biology and control strategy using baits. They must understand that they must not spray or disturb the ants or the bait stations.