Featured Image Source -> Utah State University

If there’s one ant that keeps showing up in South Florida homes, it’s the Pharaoh ant. Don’t be fooled by their tiny size; they’re sneaky, stubborn, and hard to get rid of. Florida’s warm, humid weather is perfect for them, and they don’t take a break any time of year. Treating them the wrong way can actually make the problem worse by causing colonies to split and spread.

This guide is here to help, whether it’s your first Pharaoh ant problem or you’re dealing with yet another comeback, you’ll find real answers and solutions that work.

Learning the Basics

Photo Source -> Mississippi Entomological Museum

Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) are some of the most stubborn ants found in South Florida and honestly, around the world. Despite their fancy name, they’re not rare or royal. They’ve spread globally and love living indoors, especially in warm, humid places like Florida homes.

They’re tiny (just 1.5 to 2 mm long) with pale yellow or reddish-brown bodies and darker abdomens. Their small size and color help them blend in with surfaces, making them easy to miss. Look closely and you’ll see their beaded antennae and two small bumps between their body parts which are key features that set them apart.

Some say they were named after ancient Egypt or found in pharaohs’ tombs, but that’s just myth. They likely got the name from their exotic look, though they’re believed to have originated in Africa.

What makes them a real pain? Their survival skills. One colony can have hundreds of thousands of ants and multiple queens. If threatened, they don’t die out, instead they split up and start new colonies. This “budding” makes them super hard to control and allows them to infest entire homes, buildings, and even hospitals.

What Do Pharaoh Ants Eat?

Photo Source -> The Ohio State University

Pharaoh ants aren’t picky eaters, they’re basically the opportunistic foodies of the insect world. These tiny scavengers have a taste for sweets, proteins, and greasy snacks. Think sugary spills, crumbs of baked goods, meats, peanut butter, and even toothpaste (yes, really).

In homes and buildings, they’re drawn to food that’s left out or poorly sealed. Kitchens, pantries, and trash cans are their go-to diners. But they’re not just lurking around your snacks, Pharaoh ants have even been known to feed on wounds or IV solutions in hospitals. Gross? Yes. Resourceful? Also yes.

Where Do Pharaoh Ants Live?

Indoors, they love cozy spots like wall voids, electrical outlets, and warm areas near appliances (your kitchen and bathroom are prime real estate). In places like hospitals, hotels, and apartment buildings, Pharaoh ants can form massive colonies that spread through wall pipes and wiring systems.

Outdoors, they’re less frequent, but if the weather’s warm enough, they may nest in shaded areas, under debris, or near foundations. Still, they usually prefer the A/C life, climate control is a favorite, even for ants.

So if you're in Florida and spot a trail of tiny, golden-brown ants marching through your home like they pay rent, chances are, you’ve got Pharaoh ants.

Are Pharaoh Ants Harmful or Helpful?

When people think of ants, they usually think of inconvenience. But, pharaoh ants are definitely on the harmful side of the scale.

They don’t bite or sting, but they’re serious trouble indoors. These ants can spread bacteria like Salmonella and Streptococcus by crawling over food, dishes, and medical equipment. That’s why they’re especially dangerous in places like hospitals and care homes.

They’re also tough to get rid of, improper treatment can cause colonies to split and multiply, making infestations even worse.

So while they don’t destroy your house like termites or attack like fire ants, Pharaoh ants are still bad news. No helpful traits here, just a tiny pest with a big impact.

When They Become a Problem

The most successful approach is one that works with the ant’s behavior, not against it. That means no sprays, no vinegar, and no panic-cleaning the trails. Instead, we rely on slow-acting baiting techniques that allow ants to carry the product back to the colony and do the job from the inside out.

I would recommend:

Maxforce Quantum Ant Bait – A sweet-based liquid bait with long residual action.
Optiguard Gel – A professional-grade bait used in precision applications behind outlets and appliances.
Boric Acid Dust – A low-toxicity, long-term option for deep voids and wall cracks.

What makes these baits effective is that they don’t kill the ants right away. That’s a good thing. Pharaoh ants take the bait, return to the nest, and feed it to the colony, including the queens. Because these colonies often have dozens, even hundreds of reproductive females, this process is key.

And here’s something I emphasize every time.

Don’t clean up the ant trails. Not yet. Those trails are how the ants find the bait and bring it home. Disrupting them too soon cuts off the very behavior we’re using to eliminate the colony.

When it comes to Pharaoh ants, consistent prevention can make all the difference between a calm season and another round of stress. Here’s what you can do right now to make your home a less inviting place for Pharaoh ants:

Around the House

Seal cracks with caulk, ants squeeze through tiny spaces.
Store food in airtight containers, especially sweet stuff.
Wipe up water in sinks, under fridges, and plant trays.
Trim plants touching the house as they help ants get inside.

Safe for Kids & Pets

Use gel baits in safe, hidden spots like under appliances.
Choose low-toxic products made for families.
Clean pet bowls after meals and don’t leave food out overnight.

Simple steps = fewer ants and less stress.

Coexist or Control?

When it comes to Pharaoh ants, coexistence isn’t really an option.

They spread fast, carry germs, and are nearly impossible to ignore once they settle in. Leaving them alone usually means a bigger, harder-to-manage problem later. The best move? Control them early with smart prevention, safe baiting, and, if needed, professional help.

With Pharaoh ants, it’s not about living together, it’s about showing them the door.

Remember

Avoid sprays, especially household repellents. These only make things worse by causing the colony to scatter and multiply. Instead, rely on slow-acting baits, careful positioning, and sealing entry points to stop the problem at its source.

If Pharaoh ants keep invading despite your efforts, it might be time to call in professional ant control. When you notice ants returning season after season, especially if they’re popping up in walls, outlets, or electronics, it’s a sign that your DIY solutions aren’t cutting it. If nothing seems to work after a few weeks, that’s when you know the colony is well-established and you need help.