Question 1

What are Pharaoh Ants?

Accepted Answer

Pharaoh ants are among the smallest ant species. Although they typically measure just 2mm long, they can do damage in large infestations. The worker ants of this species appear pale yellow to reddish-brown in colour. Unfortunately, this colouring makes them hard to spot when they are walking along floors or in cupboards. The species is native to Africa, but at this point, it has spread globally.

Question 2

Pharaoh Ants Biology and Life Cycle

Accepted Answer

These ants live in large colonies that can include tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of individuals. Each colony typically has multiple queens, making it possible for them to reproduce rapidly and quickly increase in numbers.

Where many types of ants swarm, that’s not the case with pharaoh ants. In this case,they use a process called budding, where a small group of workers and one or more queens branch out from the original nest to start a new one. This behaviour adds to the difficulty in getting rid of these ants, as several satellite nests may be present in the same home.

Question 3

Pharaoh Ants Habitat and Behaviour

Accepted Answer

Pharaoh ants love to live in warm, humid indoor environments. Infestations in kitchens and bathrooms are common for this reason. Nests will often be created in wall voids, baseboards, insulation, electrical outlets, and in other hospitable places. These ants are omnivores and can be found foraging at all hours of the day and night. Favoured food sources include sugars, grease, proteins, and fats.

Question 4

Pharaoh Ants Treatment Options

Accepted Answer

Sprays don’t tend to work well with pharaoh ants. Spraying a colony can simply trigger colony budding, with many new colonies sprouting up that may be even harder to find and eliminate.

As an alternative, slow-acting baits tend to be a successful approach. Worker ants will collect the bait and take it back to the nest where it is shared with queens and other workers. This approach can eventually lead to the collapse of the population. Also, keeping the space clean and free from any available food sources is an effective tactic.

Question 5

Do pharaoh ants bite?

Accepted Answer

This species of ants may nibble at the skin if provoked, but they are not known for a painful or powerful bite.

Question 6

Can I spray them with insecticide?

Accepted Answer

You can spray these ants, but that tactic does not tend to be effective. It’s a better plan to bait these ants and be patient as that strategy takes effect over time.

Question 7

Why do they keep coming back?

Accepted Answer

The satellite colonies established by pharaoh ants are the key to their persistence. They can repopulate over and over again until a comprehensive baiting and monitoring plan is put in place.

Question 8

What are Carpenter Ants?

Accepted Answer

Carpenter ants may be the best-known species in the minds of the general public. These are big ants, with adult workers ranging anywhere from 6mm to 13mm in length. Queens can be even larger. Most species of carpenter ants appear black, although they can also have red or dark brown colouring.

Question 9

Carpenter Ants Biology and Life Cycle

Accepted Answer

The colonies of carpenter ants are big, often containing 3,000 to 15,000 individual workers. Given the large size of the ants, this means colonies can appear huge when they are discovered. There is usually one primary queen, although it is possible for carpenter ant nests to have satellites with other queens.

A carpenter ant usually goes from egg to adult in about 6-12 weeks. Queens can live for several years, while worker ants usually live for just a few months.

Question 10

Carpenter Ants Habitat and Behaviour

Accepted Answer

The preferred nesting spot for carpenter ants is within moist or previously damaged wood. It is easy for the ants to excavate this type of wood, where they can build their colonies and grow in number. The name “carpenter” ants comes from their propensity to live in various pieces of wood. While building a nest in a piece of wood, these ants create smooth galleries and push out a fine sawdust. The presence of this fine dust, often mixed with insect parts, is a sure indication of carpenter ant activity. Carpenter ants prefer to forage at night, often travelling long distances to find food. For that food, they prefer sugary substances, but will also eat proteins and fats.

Question 11

Carpenter Ants Treatment Options

Accepted Answer

The first step in dealing with carpenter ants is locating the main nest. Once the nest is found, baiting can be an effective technique. Baits can be placed along the active foraging trails that the ants are using to find food. The worker ants will take the bait back to the colony, and eventually, the queen and the rest of the brood will be affected. It’s also possible in some cases to use direct nest treatments.

In the long term, moisture control is key to keeping carpenter ants away. Things like roof leaks or plumbing issues can create conditions that are perfect for a carpenter ant colony, so homeowners should pay attention to any moisture getting into the house and take action right away.

Question 12

How do I know if I have carpenter ants or termites?

Accepted Answer

You can tell the difference between these two pests if you look closely at their anatomies. Carpenter ants have elbowed antennae, narrow waists, and unequal wing lengths, whereas termites have straight antennae, thick waists, and equal-length wings.

Question 13

Are carpenter ants dangerous to humans?

Accepted Answer

These ants are not considered dangerous and rarely bite. With that said, they are dangerous to structures, and can cause extensive property damage if not addressed.

Question 14

Why do carpenter ants keep returning?

Accepted Answer

Unresolved moisture problems are typically to blame for recurring issues with carpenter ants. Long-term control over ant populations will require both proactive pest treatment and environmental corrections.

Pest Profile: Ants