Tropical ants
What do they look like?
They are small reddish/brown tropical insects
typically 2mm long. Pharaoh's ants were first recorded in Britain
in the early nineteenth century. They live in groups and
different types of ants are responsible for certain duties within
the colony. The worker ants (sterile females) have
responsibility for building and extending the nest, looking after
the larvae and foraging. It is when they look for food that
they are a nuisance. The queens (fertile females) usually
remain in the nest.
Where and how do they live?
Pharaoh's ants are commonly found
indoors. They need warm temperatures to breed and are thus
usually associated with warm, centrally heated buildings. They
are increasingly found in domestic properties.
Why are they a problem?
Pharaoh's ants can carry germs from dirty places to
clean food and for this reason are of major public health
significance. The fact that they are difficult to control
also poses problems – worker ants are able to start new nests if
the original one becomes too small. A building may thus be infested
with Pharaoh's ants that will not necessarily be located at one
nest site. Additionally, the ants are spread quite easily
from building to building in moveable items such as clothing and
bedding.
How do they breed?
Pharaoh's ant's nests are centred around a
queen. She lays a considerable number of eggs over a period
of two years. During the development of the nest many more
queens may be produced, and at times males may also
appear. Unlike the garden ant, the queen Pharaoh's ant will be
replaced by the workers when she gets older and incapable of
maintaining the normal egg-laying rate. In two to four weeks
the eggs hatch into tiny larvae (or grubs), which are fed by the
sterile female workers. In a couple of weeks the larvae change
into pupae – a resting phase. This resting stage lasts from
two to four weeks before the young ants emerge.
What can you do to prevent pharaoh's ants in your home?
The sterile female ants become a nuisance when they
search for food in our homes. They are able to communicate
information regarding the location of suitable food sites to other
workers, and it is common to see long narrow trails of worker ants
moving to and from the food source. It is also common for the
ants to search out water for drinking, and this often brings them
into contact with drains. Ensuring food is stored in pest
proof containers and keeping work surfaces clean will help to
discourage Pharaoh's ants.
How can I get rid of pharaoh's ants?
Pharaoh's ants are extremely difficult to get rid
of. For these reason you need professional help if you have an
infestation.
Pest control treatments are available to residents
in Ealing Homes properties.
Where more than two properties in a block are infested with
Pharaoh's ants it is our policy to recommend that the whole block
is treated.
Chemical safety
When a pesticide is used to treat an infestation in
your home we will leave you written information about the chemical
including what to do in an emergency.
All pesticides are applied by our qualified and experienced
staff to ensure the safety of the public and to minimise damage to
the environment.