Is It Dangerous To Have Pharaoh Ants In My Twin Falls Home?

While most ants are relatively harmless nuisance pests, others, such as the Pharaoh ant, can be dangerous. This particular ant is known for its ability to spread harmful germs and diseases that can impact people.

To help you identify Pharaoh ants and tell them apart from other species, we’ve included a brief guide to the main characteristics of the species:

• These ants are only about 1/16th of an inch long.
• They are a light yellow color with some red or black coloration on their lower abdomens.
• They have 12-segmented antennae.

Where Are Pharaoh Ants Usually Found?

Pharaoh ants are generally found outdoors as they prefer to live outside, but they will come indoors at times and even build their nests there. They are especially common in restaurants, factories, grocery stores, and even hospitals, but they sometimes invade residential areas, too. Once inside, they often build their nests in the voids in walls or underneath flooring which can make them difficult to notice as well as remove.

How Dangerous Are Pharaoh Ants?

Just like most ant species, Pharaoh ants will eat all kinds of food items including pet food, proteins, sugary drinks, cereals, and more. But, while all ants can get into and contaminate food, the Pharaoh ant stands apart because it is one of the few species that is known to transmit illnesses. They can spread diseases including dysentery and salmonella, so any food they touch will need to be thrown out and surfaces they come into contact with will need to be disinfected.

The other issue with Pharaoh ants is that they are one of the most difficult ant species to control. They will create multiple colonies and nests wherever they established themselves making it hard to find and remove them all. These colonies often contain thousands of individual ants. Also, if they are disturbed, some ants will break away and look for a new place to build a nest.

Six Pharaoh Ant Prevention Tips

Because these ants are potentially dangerous to your health, it’s a good idea to take preventive measures to keep them out. To do so, you should address the factors that attract ants in the first place and also make it more difficult for ants to find their way inside your house. Here are six of the best ways to prevent Pharaoh ants:

1. Keep kitchen spaces cleaned and always clean up food or drink spills right away.
2. Install door sweeps and weather stripping around your property.
3. Place lids on all garbage cans and take out the trash often.
4. Store any pet food inside.
5. Check screens in doors and windows and repair or replace as needed.
6. Seal up cracks and holes in the walls.

How Can You Remove Pharaoh Ant Infestations?

If you're already dealing with Pharaoh ants around your Twin Falls home, don’t waste your time and money trying to remove them using DIY methods. These invasive pests are nearly impossible to remove without assistance, so get in touch with the experts at Owyhee Environmental instead.

We will get those pesky ants out of your home right away and ensure they don’t come back. Get started with a free estimate by contacting us at (208) 203-8187.