Insect – High risk
Pharaoh Ant
Native to Asia, the pharaoh ant is extremely invasive, with colonies of over 10,000 individuals and several queens. It is resistant to ordinary chemical treatments.
1.5-2 mm – Yellow to brown
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
Pharaoh ants measure 1.5 to 2 mm (workers) and up to 5 mm for the queen. Yellow to reddish-brown in color, with a darker abdomen. They travel in continuous Indian lines. Up to 200 queens can cohabit, making elimination particularly complex.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
It settles in homes, hospitals and restaurants, in warm spaces close to food. Colonies break up spontaneously to colonize new areas – particularly after inappropriate chemical treatment.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Without intervention, an infestation can double in size in just a few weeks.
§4What to look out for
Signs of infestation
- Ants visible in lines everywhere
- Invasion in the food packets
- Mounds of earth in corners
- Black spots on walls (droppings)
§5Why act fast
Risks
- Highly invasive and resistant to ordinary treatments
- Can massively contaminate food
- Problems in hospitals (spread of germs)
- Sprays disperse colonies rather than eliminate them
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Never leave food accessible
- Store food in airtight containers
- Seal all cracks and openings
- Avoid spray treatments (dispersion effect)
- Contact a professional at the first sign of trouble
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
Home location and assessment.
Preparation
Customized plan – pre-intervention measurements.
Treatment
Locate main and satellite nests, treat with non-repellent baits.
Follow-up
Inspection visit – written guarantee.
§8We answer you
Frequently asked questions
Why is it so difficult to eliminate?
It has multiple queens, and ordinary chemical treatments disperse rather than kill colonies.
Is it dangerous for humans?
It does not sting, but can massively contaminate food and spread germs.
What should I do if I see one in my home?
Contact an exterminator immediately. Do not use sprays that will aggravate the situation.
The pharaoh ant is the one ant never to spray: repellent products split the colony into new nests and make the infestation worse. Baiting is the only method that works, and it belongs to our ant extermination service, in hospitals and apartment buildings in Sherbrooke, in Granby, in Longueuil and in Brossard.
Sources used for this fact sheet: Espace pour la vie · Santé Canada · Pesticides Management Code, class 3 · Texas A&M Urban Entomology.
React quickly, sleep well.
The longer the infestation lasts, the more expensive it becomes.
