Tiny Black Ants Seen Foraging on Your Countertops are Pharaoh Ants

One observable fact of the Pharaoh Ant – besides the obvious small size - is the Pharaoh Ant is very persistent. These small black nuisance ants appear in the same areas of your home – day after day - regardless of how much cleaning, wiping, smashing or aerosol spray you try. In Pinellas County, they are most often found in the home during the cooler months – just in time for our “Snow Birds” to arrive.

Biology of the Pharaoh Ant

Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) are an imported (invasive) species. The most likely point of origin is the tropical regions of Africa or Asia - having spread around the world along commerce routes. Pharaoh ants are not a problem for cooler regions of the United States – Pharaoh Ants enjoy the warmer Florida climate – especially the subtropical climate of Pinellas County.

Pharaoh Ants are a Nuisance but Docile

Pharaoh ants are not an aggressive like the fierce Fire Ant. The primary purpose of these small black ants as they scurry about your countertops is to find food, water and a nesting place – not attacking humans.

Eliminating Food Does Not Eliminate the Ants

The diet of the Pharaoh ant is diverse. They love kitchens where grease, sweets, and other foods are readily available to feed on. But don’t think a spotless kitchen will discourage these persistent unwanted guest - Pharaoh ants have been found to enjoy feeding on toothpaste and soap!

Pharaoh Ants are Survivalists

Another advantage of the Pharaoh ants is their size – these tiny ants can forage and nest in the smallest cracks and crevices. Pharaoh Ants do nest in your home – they set up colonies in the small voids behind walls – making locating and treating the “mound” nearly impossible. And to make matters even more complicated, when Pharaoh ant colonies are disturbed (as in sprayed with an insecticide), they quickly move the whole colony or start new one.

Getting Rid of Pharaoh Ants

Identifying the species of ant is your first step to managing them – knowing they are Pharaoh Ants determines the methods to control. Treating Pharaoh ants with a product for cockroaches will just force the colony to move to another location in your home.

Ant baits are the best treatment for Pharaoh Ants. For the Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY), the baits available at the big box stores will provide mixed results. Try them and if you fail, call a professional.

However, you can save yourself a lot of trouble - for control of Pharaoh Ants; it is wise to call a professional. The small size and the nesting habits of Pharaoh Ants are a big challenge for the DIY.