Pharaoh ant

The pharaoh ant got its name from the mistaken belief of Linnaeus that this ant was one of the plagues of Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs.

Identification

Pharaoh ants are very small ants about 1.5 to 2 mm in length. Yellow to reddish brown coloration.

Common locations

This ant will nest in virtually any site that provides protection. They are not uncommon in walls, furniture and appliances, have even been found in places like closets, hollow curtain rods, inside irons, in small boxes and under roofing shingles.

Diet

East sweets as sugar syrups, fruit juices, jellies, cakes and fruit pies, as well as greases.

Additional Info

In hospitals, these ants pose a health risk because they can carry infectious bacteria from the warm, moist areas they inhabit, to intravenous fluids, blood and wounds.