How To Get Rid Of Pharaoh Ants

How To Get Rid Of Pharaoh Ants

Pharaoh ants are among the most challenging ant species to control because of their tiny size, multiple queens, and tendency to scatter when disturbed. While our professional pest control is often the most effective solution, there are strategies that a home or business owner can implement carefully on their own. Here’s how to get rid of Pharaoh ants:

Correct Identification

Before taking action, ensure the ants are indeed pharaoh ants. Key characteristics:

• Tiny, about 1/16 inch (1.5 mm) long

• Yellowish to light brown in color

• Commonly found indoors in warm, humid areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and around water sources

• Often trail along walls or baseboards

Avoid Spraying with Insecticide

• Do not use standard spray insecticides directly on Pharaoh ants. Spraying or disturbing their nests can cause them to split into multiple colonies, making the infestation much worse.

Use Baiting, Not Contact Sprays

Baiting is the most effective self-treatment for Pharaoh ants:

• Choose slow-acting ant baits (gel, liquid, or solid) specifically labeled for Pharaoh ants. Ingredients like boric acid, hydramethylnon, or fipronil are common.

• Placement is critical: place baits along ant trails, behind appliances, in cabinets, under sinks, and in corners. Avoid areas where children or pets can access them.

• Be patient: Pharaoh ant colonies can take weeks to months to eliminate because the bait must be carried back to the queen(s).

Sanitation and Food Management

• Keep all food stored in airtight containers

• Clean up crumbs, spills, and pet food immediately

• Empty trash cans frequently and keep them sealed

• Reduce excess moisture (fix leaky faucets, pipes, and drains)

Monitor and Replace Baits

• Check bait stations weekly and replace them if they’re empty or contaminated

• Continue baiting even after you stop seeing ants for several weeks, because hidden queens may remain

Prevent Reinfestation

• Seal cracks and entry points around windows, doors, and baseboards

• Regularly inspect warm, damp areas for signs of new activity

• Maintain good sanitation consistently

When DIY May Not Be Enough

• Large or stubborn infestations, especially in commercial settings like restaurants, often require our professional pest control. Our professionals can locate and treat multiple nests, apply baiting strategies that target the entire colony, and prevent spreading by monitoring the building over time.

For self-treatment, the most effective approach is strategic, patient baiting combined with sanitation. Avoid sprays or quick-kill methods, as these often make the problem worse. Consistency and patience are key—Pharaoh ants are persistent, but properly applied baits will eventually eliminate the colony.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Pharaoh Ants

Our professional pest control is the most effective solution for Pharaoh ants because of the unique biology and behavior of these ants. Here’s why hiring our trained professionals outperforms DIY methods:

Multiple Queens Make DIY Hard

• Pharaoh ants are polygynous, meaning a single colony can have dozens or even hundreds of queens.

• If a DIY approach like spraying insecticide is used, the colony will often split into multiple smaller colonies (budding), making the infestation much harder to control.

• Our professionals know to avoid contact sprays and instead use strategies that eliminate the entire colony.

Expertise in Baiting Strategies

• Slow-acting ant baits are the only reliable way to eliminate Pharaoh ant colonies.

• Our professionals can identify the optimal bait type, placement, and rotation to ensure it reaches the queens and brood.

• We monitor the baits and adjust our treatments over time, something most homeowners do not do effectively.

Ability to Locate Multiple Nests

• Pharaoh ants nest in hard-to-find areas: wall voids, behind baseboards, under appliances, in ceiling spaces, and around plumbing.

• Our professionals have the experience to trace ant trails, identify satellite nests, and treat them all, ensuring complete colony elimination.

Reduced Risk of Spread

• DIY sprays often scatter the ants, causing the colony to multiply and infest additional areas.

• Our professionals use targeted, strategic treatments to prevent the ants from relocating and expanding.

Safety and Compliance

• Our professionals use baits and insecticides safely, reducing risk to children, pets, and food preparation areas.

• We are trained in industry best practices, ensuring treatment is both effective and compliant with safety regulations.

Long-Term Monitoring

• Pharaoh ants are persistent and can return if hidden queens survive.

• We provide ongoing monitoring and preventative treatments, preventing re-infestation and ensuring long-term control.

Pharaoh ants are notoriously difficult to eradicate due to their multiple queens, secretive nesting habits, and tendency to scatter when disturbed. Our professionals combine expert knowledge, strategic baiting, and careful monitoring to eliminate entire colonies safely and effectively—something almost impossible to achieve reliably with DIY methods alone.