There were several plagues that hit Egypt: Locusts, flies, lice, and whatever the pestilence was that made the livestock sick. Ants were not one of the plagues. But, if an ant plague had been released on Pharaoh, these ants would have definitely been an appropriate choice. This is why they were given the name, though in older literature they were not called Pharaoh ants but instead referred to as Pharaoh's ants. Let's talk about why they are such a plague when they get into Hartford homes and businesses and discuss what works best to get control of them.
Why Pharaoh Ants Are So Difficult
Pharaoh ants have earned the distinction of being the most difficult household pests to control in the United States. There are a few reasons for this:
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They have the ability to endure most conventional treatments that are thrown at them.
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They can establish their colonies in many locations within man-made structures.
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They have a surprising knack for getting into places they shouldn't be able to get into.
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They have a wide dietary selection and sometimes infest areas where no food is found.
Why Pharaoh Ants Are A Plague
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Most of the ants that get into Hartford homes or businesses won't spread diseases. But Pharaoh ants are known to spread over a dozen pathogens, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus and more. This is because they are drawn to feed on the open wounds of pets, livestock, and humans—a propensity that makes them a serious threat to hospitals and health care facilities.
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These ants seek out moisture from the mouths of sleeping people.
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The ability of Pharaoh ants to get into things makes them far more likely to get into your stored foods and contaminate them.
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A Pharaoh ant colony can have several hundred thousand ants in it. This is likely due to the fact that there are several queens in a colony and reproduction can happen quickly.
How To Tell Pharaoh Ants From Other Ants
If you're wondering what ants you have in your home. It can be difficult to tell Pharaoh ants from a few other ant species, such as thief ants, fire ants, and bigheaded ants. This is because of their small size and tan to red coloration. A Pharaoh ant is about 1/16 of an inch long. It is usually a pale coloration that varies from yellowish to red, and it has a dark (or black) abdomen. If you're able to examine it closely, you will see that it has two nodes between the thorax and abdomen (the waist).
How To Control Pharaoh Ants
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While it is extremely difficult to exclude these ants, you can deter them by sealing gaps, cracks, and holes in your foundation and exterior.
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When Pharaoh ants get in, it is important that they find as little food as possible. Clean up spills, crumbs, and other food debris.
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Routinely vacuum rugs to remove food particles.
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Consider only eating food in your kitchen.
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Store your pantry foods in airtight containers.
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Put your trash in a sealed receptacle and dispose of it routinely.
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Address issues of standing water around your exterior.
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Install dehumidifiers in your home where there is high humidity or dampness.
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Repair leaky pipes and other plumbing issues.
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Store firewood well away from your exterior walls.
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Rake leaves up and away from your exterior walls.
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Trim the branches of trees, shrubs and bushes so they do not touch your home.
Professional Ant Control
When Pharaoh ants, or any other pests, plagues you in your Hartford home or business, remember that Big Blue Bug Solutions is always available to assist you with your pest control needs. We have been protecting people from pests like the Pharaoh ant for more than 80 years. In our long history, we have strived to stay on the cutting edge of pest control technologies and refined our methods to give our customers friendly and impeccable service every time. Pharaoh ants may be difficult to control, but they're no match for our licensed and expertly trained team of pest professionals. Reach out to us today to schedule service. We look forward to helping you address this important pest control threat.
