Pharoah Ants

Most people associate ant problems with summer barbecues and camping trips. However, certain species of ants are actually more prevalent and problematic during the winter months. One such pest, the pharaoh ant, can be a serious nuisance for homeowners and businesses alike.

So just what are these tiny winter invaders?

Compared to other ant species, pharaoh ants are extremely small, growing to less than 2mm in length. They are typically a tannish yellow color, with characteristic black and red markings. Due to their small size, pharaoh ants are easily able to enter into buildings through small cracks and gaps in the exterior of the structure.

In warmer regions, pharaoh ants can be found outdoors in fields and gardens. However, as the temperature grows colder during the winter, pharaoh ants often seek out artificial sources of warmth in various buildings. They typically seek out secluded, well hidden areas in a build within which they can establish a nest. In homes, ants will often be found in areas that are close to a source of moisture, and common locations that you may find ants include:
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• Inside cabinets and wall voids
• Beneath fridges or other large appliances
• Hidden in folds of linens and towels
• In basements near to a heating system

Due to their small size, it can be difficult to locate pharaoh ant nests because they are often located in areas that are not easily accessible to humans. Most of the time, homeowners will notice the pharaoh ant workers when they are out scavenging for food. Pharaoh ants can consume a variety of different food sources, but they tend to have a preference for greasy food that are high in protein.

Homeowners are not the only people who need to worry about pharaoh ants. Business owners should also be concerned about potential infestation. This is especially true for hospitals and other medical buildings. Pharaoh ants are infamous for infesting these structures and contaminating equipment. In some cases, the ants can act as vectors of infectious disease as well, creating risk for patients and medical workers alike.Â

Pharaoh ants are considered by many experts to be one of the most difficult infestations to remove. This is because pharaoh ant nests will often contain several queens, and when the nest grows too large or is disturbed, they can perform a practice known as budding. Budding occurs when a queen or several from the nest scatter from the home nest to establish another nearby satellite colony. This can occur when treatment is improperly applied, causing the ants to flee the toxic substances and spread even further throughout the home.

This problem is compounded  by the small size of the ants, as they are able to infest almost any area at ease. This can make it difficult to remove any substantially sized infestation without professional assistance, as it can seem that efforts to remove the ants serve only to increase their range and numbers. If you are attempting to treat the ants with a DIY product, it is important to be careful not to facilitate budding and scattering the ants. Due to this risk, it is preferable to rely on professional treatment options to avoid dealing with increased expense and frustration.

At Blease Exterminating, we are proud to serve as the leading provider of quality, professional pest control for the Moultrie area. We offer a wide range of specialized treatment options that are we custom fit to your specific situation to ensure that we deal with your pest problems quickly, safely, and effectively. All of these services come backed by our industry leading quality guarantee and are available at a price that fits your budget!

So if you are dealing with pharaoh ants, or any other pest, call us today at 229-891-3501!