Pharaoh Ants – The Silent Invaders You Don’t See Coming

Meet the Menace: Pharaoh Ant (Monomorium pharaonis)

Tiny, elusive, and relentless — Pharaoh ants are a nightmare for homeowners and especially challenging for pest control pros. These pale yellow or reddish ants are only 1/16-inch long, but they build massive colonies and spread quickly through hidden spaces.

Why Pharaoh Ants Are Dangerous:
– They’re known to spread over a dozen harmful pathogens including Salmonella and Streptococcus.
– Their colonies split (a process called budding) when disturbed — leading to even more nests.
– They infest hospitals, apartments, and residential homes — especially kitchens and bathrooms.
– Their small size allows them to access sealed containers and electrical outlets.

RexPest’s Professional Approach:
– We avoid sprays that cause colony budding.
– We use highly effective baiting systems that target the queen(s) and eliminate entire colonies.
– Treatments are discreet, precise, and safe for sensitive areas like pantries and bedrooms.
– We track satellite colonies through wall voids and hidden infrastructure.

Real Cases We’ve Treated:
1. A local bakery in Spring Hill discovered Pharaoh ants inside a sealed sugar bin. The ants were nesting in a nearby wall void and accessing food through tiny cracks.
2. A retirement home had ants infesting residents’ nightstands and toothbrush holders. Traditional sprays made the problem worse. RexPest baited the colonies and eliminated the infestation without disrupting residents.
3. A customer called us after seeing “a few ants” in their bathroom. When we investigated, we found five separate budding colonies inside the walls, all stemming from a single moisture-damaged pipe.

Fun Facts & Trivia:
– Pharaoh ants are believed to have originated in Africa but are now found worldwide.
– A single colony can have hundreds of queens — making them incredibly resilient.
– They are often mistaken for grease ants or thief ants due to their tiny size.

DIY Tips That Actually Work:
– Use baits designed specifically for Pharaoh ants — avoid over-the-counter sprays.
– Wipe counters with vinegar or essential oils like peppermint or lemon.
– Keep food sealed and pet bowls clean.
– Fix leaks and reduce moisture under sinks and behind toilets.

Treatment Hurdles:
– Improper treatment splits colonies and worsens the infestation.
– They’re so small, many homeowners don’t realize how widespread the infestation is.
– They often nest in electrical outlets, appliances, or inside baseboards — areas hard to treat without pro tools.

Why RexPest?
Our technicians are trained in Pharaoh ant elimination — not just suppression. We use slow-acting, non-repellent bait systems and monitor for budding activity.

Think You Have Pharaoh Ants? Don’t Spray — Call RexPest for Smart, Targeted Elimination.