While no homeowner wants their property infested with any kind of ant, one species of ant you may want to avoid at all costs is the pharaoh ant. Pharaoh ants derive their name from the idea that they were one of the plagues of Egypt. While that may not be true, pharaoh ants are no welcome sight in any home or business here in the United States. That’s because pharaoh ants are known to spread numerous diseases and can be challenging to eliminate once they enter a property. Therefore, it is important for you to know the steps you can take so that you can keep pharaoh ants out of your Orlando property.
Identifying Pharaoh Ants
Pharaoh ants are small ants, measuring in at about 1/16”. They are pale in color, usually ranging from yellow to red. Like all ants, they have segmented bodies, six legs, and antennae. Pharaoh ants prefer to make their nests in warm, humid locations that are in close proximity to food and water sources. Therefore, kitchens and the surrounding areas are prime locations for pharaoh ant infestations. In addition to this, pharaoh ants will often make their nests in inaccessible areas such as in wall voids, under baseboards, under floors, and inside of furniture or appliances.
Threats Posed By Pharaoh Ants
When pharaoh ants get into a home or business, they are capable of spreading a number of harmful bacteria or disease-causing pathogens. They can contaminate countertops, dishes, silverware, and even food if it is left out or stored improperly. Diseases that pharaoh ants have been known to spread include salmonella, staphylococcus, clostridium, and streptococcus.
In addition to spreading diseases, pharaoh ants are challenging to eliminate once they infest a property. That’s because pharaoh ants if they feel threatened, are capable of splitting up their colony, and forming several new colonies in a process called budding. Therefore, trying to remove a pharaoh ant nest without the proper experience and equipment could literally multiply your problem. Therefore, it is important to take the proper preventive measures so that you don’t have to worry about pharaoh ants in the first place.
Pharaoh Ant Prevention Tips
When it comes to pharaoh ant prevention, your primary objectives should be to remove any potential food or water sources and to seal off any potential entry points. Steps you can take include:
- Storing all food in airtight containers or the refrigerator.
- Wiping up any spills from countertops or floors immediately.
- Taking out the trash regularly and storing trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Fixing any leaky pipes or fixtures in your home.
- Using dehumidifiers to keep humidity levels low around your home.
- Sealing any cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Installing door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Installing weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Keeping tree branches trimmed back from the exterior of your home.
- Keeping wood piles stored away from the exterior of your home.
If you are able to accomplish some, or all, of these measures, you should be able to greatly limit your exposure to pharaoh ants.
What To Do If Pharaoh Ants Invade Your Property
If you have any further questions about pharaoh ant prevention, or if you are currently dealing with a pharaoh ant infestation, contact the professionals here at Green Flag Services for assistance. Here at Green Flag Services, our trained pest technicians are properly equipped and have the experience and expertise required to effectively eliminate a pharaoh ant infestation. Don’t let pharaoh ants infest your home and threaten the health and safety of you and your family. Give us a call today.
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