Egyptian ruler lives in Texas, residing in homes across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
While you may not recognize this ant by its name (Pharaoh ant) chances are you have seen them in your home or a home of a relative or friend. They a common household pests in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex, along with being one of the most disliked, but at least they have an interesting and surprising history. So lets take a quick history lesson before jumping into how to identify these little (BIG) pests.
The Pharaoh of ancient Egypt. It is true that the Pharaoh ant’s story begins in ancient Egypt. Another fact is they were named after the Egyptian ruler Pharaoh. It is thought, but probably a mistaken idea, that one of the original plagues of Egyptian times was the Pharaoh ant, a creature that infested society and drove the ancient people as crazy as they drive modern people.
Nest Site/Characteristics: Pharaoh ant colonies range in size from several hundred thousand workers and several hundred reproductive females to very small colonies with 100 workers and one or two females. These ants nest almost anywhere, but prefer warm, humid areas near sources of food and water; they nest in wall voids, behind baseboards, in furniture, under floors and between linens. In southern regions, colonies can exist outdoors. Workers range widely from the nest and establish visible trails to food and water sources. Pharaoh ants commonly use electrical and telephone wires, plumbing and other utility lines as trail routes. Outdoors, these ants nest in debris collected on flat roofs, entering and exiting via poorly caulked or defective windows, under flashing and through weep holes.
Feeding Preferences: Pharaoh ants have a wide preference of foods, from syrups to fruits, sweets, meats, pet foods and dead insects. Pharaoh ants have a high daily water requirement. Workers forage for water just as aggressively as for food. They will harvest water from unusual sources, such as aquariums, pet dishes, condensation on plumbing fixtures and windows, refrigerator condensation pans, air conditioners and house plants. In health care facilities, pharaoh ants have known to forage on the wounds of immobile patients and residents.
Pale yellow to reddish body with black shading on the top, rear portion of the abdomen
12 segmented antennae, 3-segmented club
Two node segments
Uneven thorax with no spines
Stinger present but rarely extended and visible
Monomorphic workers, very small 1/16 inch
If you have any questions do not hesitate to call First Response Pest Control, Proudly serving Highland Village, Lewisville, Flower Mound, Coppell, Corinth, Lantana, Argyle, Lake Dallas, Denton Texas and surrounding areas. https//www.lewisvillepestcontrol.net
