Pest Identification

Size:
Pharaoh ant workers and males are about 1/16 in (1.5-2 mm) long; queens are about 1/8 in (4 mm).

Color:
is pale yellow to red; darker abdomen is almost black; queens are slightly darker.

Where found:
Probably native to Africa, but found throughout the U.S. 

Habitat:
Pharaoh ant nests are usually indoors where there is warmth and high humidity. They may also be found on the ground outdoors, and in debris, which has collected on a flat roof.

Food:
Workers establish trails to feeding spots, and may go far for food and water. They eat sweets, meat, and dead insects.

Biology:
Colonies usually have thousands of workers, up to several hundred thousand. In a large colony there are several hundred females that can lay eggs. They cannot survive the winter in much of the U.S.; however, they do over winter in Florida and Hawaii. Indoors they can survive year round. There is no swarming. Mating takes place inside the nest. Development from egg to adult takes about 38 days, if the temperature is warm. Workers live about 9 or 10 weeks, with only 10% going out to feed at one time. Queens live much longer, from 4 to 12 months. Males die about 3-5 weeks after mating. New nests can be formed with as few as 5 workers, 10 preadults, and 1 queen. 

Damage:
Pharaoh ants are believed to spread various diseases. They are a common problem in hotels, grocery stores, hospitals, and apartments.