Many Allen residents are indifferent to ants. Ants are quiet insects that actually pose a huge benefit to the environment, and most ant species prefer to remain outside. But some ants would much rather wreak havoc inside Allen, TX properties – especially pharaoh ants.
Pharaoh ants commonly infest Allen households, and they can go unnoticed for months. To protect yourself from these pests – and their potentially harmful diseases – read more about what these ants look like and how to prevent them.
Pharaoh Ant Identification Tip
Even for ants, pharaoh ants are tiny. These pests only grow to between 1-2 mm in length. Their small size makes it easy for them to sneak into households and go unnoticed. Like all ant species, pharaoh ants have sectioned bodies, six legs, and two short antennae. These pests range from yellow to red, though the queen can be slightly darker, and their abdomens are usually red to dark brown. Pharaoh ants will often be found in clusters, so if you see a large amount of small, swarming ants, they are likely pharaoh ants.
Pharaoh ants are usually found in humid areas of a house, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, and the spaces behind baseboards and appliances. They also cause problems in restaurants, hospitals, and other densely populated businesses.
Are Pharaoh Ants Dangerous?
On their own, pharaoh ants won’t harm you. However, they can spread diseases that can harm you and your family.
Pharaoh ants are known to spread pathogens such as salmonella, clostridium, streptococcus, and staphylococcus. These pathogens will be picked up in places like trash bins and dumpsters, then spread through your house wherever these ants walk. You are especially likely to get sick if pharaoh ants find a way into your pantry since these diseases can spread through your foods.
To make matters worse, pharaoh ant infestations can be huge: though all ant species live inside colonies, few ant colonies are as large as pharaoh ants'. A pharaoh ant colony can contain thousands of members, and when threatened, this colony will bud and split into separate colonies, each with separate queens.
This makes dealing with a pharaoh ant problem much more difficult because if not handled properly, the problem will persist with more reproducing ants. Simply put, it’s better if pharaoh ants never get inside. How can Allen property owners keep pharaoh ants out?
Pharaoh Ant Prevention Tips
The following are ways to keep pharaoh ants (as well as other ant species) out of your Allen property.
- Secure food and trash. Unlocked food storage and open trash bins will attract pharaoh ants and invite them inside.
- Maintain your yard. Unmaintained grass and foliage will allow ant colonies to thrive, overpopulate, and move indoors.
- Seal entryways. Because pharaoh ants are tiny, they can fit inside the smallest cracks, so check the caulking and sealant around windows, doors, pipes, vents, and your general masonry.
Because pharaoh ants are both small and persistent, they sometimes get in no matter what you do to prevent them. If this happens in your Allen property, contact the pest professionals at Adams Exterminating. We’ll sweep these pests out so that they never come back again.