For your Home
Login or register for the customer portal
© 2025 Rentokil Initial plc and subject to the conditions in the Legal statement
What are pharaoh ants?
Pharaoh ants are one of the most stubborn household ant species commonly found in North America. Pharaoh ants are tiny pests that invade homes and can cause big problems for property owners. They reproduce quickly and form large colonies with multiple queens, making them hard to get rid of.
Unlike other ants, pharaoh ants prefer warm, hidden spaces inside. You can find them behind walls, in cabinets, and even in electrical outlets. To help protect your property, it’s important to know how to identify, prevent, and remove pharaoh ants.
Where do pharaoh ants come from?
Pharaoh ants are believed to have originated in tropical regions before spreading worldwide. Their small size and ability to survive indoors have allowed them to thrive in many climates, especially in heated buildings.
Why these ants are a common household pest
Pharaoh ants can be a major issue for homeowners and businesses as they can be very hard to eliminate.
Unlike other ant species, pharaoh ants have multiple queens. This lets their colonies reproduce quickly and spread throughout a building. If part of their colony is disturbed, they will break off and form new nests in different areas, making infestations worse over time.
These ants are also drawn to food and water sources, making kitchens and bathrooms ideal nesting spots. They feed on sweets, proteins, and greasy foods, which means unsealed food containers, crumbs, and spills can attract them. Once they find a reliable food source, they leave scent trails to help other ants follow, leading to large infestations in a short amount of time.
Because they are so small, pharaoh ants can enter homes through tiny cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and pipes. They can build nests in walls, electrical outlets, under floors, and in furniture, making them difficult to find and remove. DIY treatments usually fail as sprays and over-the-counter insecticides can cause colonies to scatter rather than eliminate them.
How to identify pharaoh ants
Because they are small and often nest in hidden areas, these ants can be hard to detect until their numbers grow. Here are some ways to identify them:
Physical characteristics
Pharaoh ants are very small, measuring around 1/16” to ⅝” long. They have a yellow to light brown body with a darker abdomen. Unlike some other ants, they do not have a noticeable stinger. Because they are so tiny and light-colored, they can be hard to see. Their antennae have 12 segments and are slightly curved and they have two small nodes between their thorax and abdomen.
Behavior and nesting habits
Pharaoh ants prefer warm, humid places and like to stay hidden. They often nest in walls, behind baseboards, and near water sources like sinks and drains. Unlike outdoor ants that build large mounds, pharaoh ants remain inside, creating nests in safe, hidden locations.
These ants are not picky eaters. They consume sweets, proteins, and greasy foods, which allows them to thrive in homes and businesses. Because they are so small, they can move easily through tiny cracks and gaps, making them very difficult to control. They are also known to relocate their nests frequently, especially if they detect a threat.
Signs of a pharaoh ant infestation
It can be hard to know if you have pharaoh ants because they nest in hidden areas. However, some signs to look for include:
- Spotting tiny, yellowish ants in your home, particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. These ants are often seen near sinks, drains, and food sources, as they are attracted to moisture and crumbs.
- Noticing ant trails. Pharaoh ants leave behind scent trails to help other worker ants find food. You might notice lines of ants moving along baseboards, walls, or countertops, especially leading to food storage areas or water sources.
- In serious cases, you might find small nests in hard-to-reach spots like walls, under floors, behind appliances, or in electrical outlets.
If you see pharaoh ants in your home, act quickly. Their colonies can grow fast, and if not treated properly, they can spread to other areas of your home. Early detection and professional treatment are essential for effective control.
Why pharaoh ants are a problem
Pharaoh ants may be small, but they can cause big problems in homes and businesses. Here are some of the risks these stubborn pests can pose:
Contaminate food and surfaces
Pharaoh ants can be a health risk because they can spread bacteria. They travel through dirty areas like trash cans and drains and then move onto food and kitchen surfaces, increasing the risk of food contamination and illness.
Because they are so tiny, they can also crawl inside food packaging, making them a problem in homes, restaurants, and food businesses.
Rapid colony growth and multiple queens
Pharaoh ant colonies grow fast. Unlike some ant species that have only one queen, pharaoh ants have multiple queens. This means that even if you get rid of part of the colony, the rest can keep growing.
If their nest is disturbed, they can split into several smaller nests, spreading the infestation even further. This is why typical ant sprays do not work on pharaoh ants and may even make the problem worse.
How to remove pharaoh ants from your home
Getting rid of pharaoh ants by yourself is very difficult because these ants are hard to control once they make their way into your property. They can multiply fast and spread to new areas if disturbed, and sprays and insecticides can make the problem worse.
The fully remove these pests, contact Western Exterminator for professional pest control services. Our ant control experts use slow-acting baits that ants carry back to their colony, helping to eventually eliminate the entire nest. We also inspect homes to find hidden nests and seal entry points to help stop future infestations.
Baiting methods
Instead of relying on sprays, which only kill visible ants and can worsen the infestation, we use specially formulated bait. Worker ants collect the bait and bring it back to the colony, where it spreads to other ants, including the queens.
Over time, this approach can get rid of the entire colony, preventing the infestation from returning. Our professional pest experts also monitor bait stations to ensure the treatment is working and make adjustments as needed.
For pharaoh ants, slow-acting bait is the most effective. The best bait types include sugar-based, protein-based, and grease-based baits since these ants eat a variety of foods. Because pharaoh ants are picky, we will tend to use multiple bait types to ensure success.
Cleaning and preventing future infestations
Keeping your home clean and free of moisture can help prevent future infestations. Consider the following tips:
- Wipe down kitchen counters and surfaces regularly.
- Store food in sealed containers to keep ants out.
- Fix leaks and remove standing water, as ants are drawn to moisture.
- Seal cracks in walls, floors, and around windows and doors.
- Take out the trash often and keep garbage bins clean.
When to call a professional for pharaoh ant removal
At Western Exterminator, we use various methods to locate to help eliminate pharaoh ant colonies and prevent future infestations. If you suspect an infestation, contact us today.
Want to learn how to identify & get rid of other common ant species?
These large ants like to burrow into wood to create their nests. They are often found in damp or rotting wood inside homes.
Sugar ants are small ants that are highly attracted to sweet foods. They can be a significant health hazard.
These tiny ants are attracted to greasy and protein-rich foods and can be found in kitchens and pantries.
Frequently asked questions
Are pharaoh ants hard to get rid of?
Yes, pharaoh ants can be difficult to remove. They build nests in hidden places and have multiple queens. If disturbed, they spread to new areas. Professional pest control is the best way to get rid of these pests completely.
What is the best killer for pharaoh ants?
Baiting is the most effective method of eliminating pharaoh ants. Slow-acting bait attracts worker ants, who carry the poison back to the colony. Over time, this eliminates the entire nest, including the queens. Pest control professionals use specialized bait to ensure full removal.
What attracts pharaoh ants?
Pharaoh ants are drawn to food, water, and warmth. They eat sugary, greasy, and protein-rich foods. Crumbs, spills, and open food containers can bring them into kitchens. They also nest in warm, humid areas like walls, floors, and electrical outlets.
Are pharaoh ants harmful to humans?
Yes, pharaoh ants can be a health risk. They crawl through dirty spots like trash and drains. Then, they spread bacteria onto food and surfaces. This can cause food contamination and illness, especially in hospitals and homes.
How to get rid of pharaoh ants permanently?
The only way to remove pharaoh ants for good is with professional pest control. Experts use baiting methods to eliminate entire colonies. They also inspect for hidden nests and seal entry points to prevent re-infestation.
Why are pharaoh ants hard to kill?
Pharaoh can be difficult to eliminate because they have multiple queens. If their colony is disturbed, they scatter and form new nests. Sprays and DIY treatments often make the problem worse, which makes professional baiting the most reliable solution.
What are pharaoh ants attracted to?
Pharaoh ants are attracted to food, moisture, and warmth. They search for sugary and greasy foods, unsealed leftovers, and even pet food. They also seek out water sources in sinks, leaky pipes, and humid areas – so keeping your home clean and dry helps reduce infestations.