Pharaoh Ant

Workers are extremely small, only 1.5–2 mm long. The body is pale yellow-brown to reddish-brown, with the last abdominal segments slightly darker. The overall shape is smooth, without spines or prominent projections.

Believed to be native to tropical Asia, this species has now spread to more than 25 countries worldwide. It can live inside warm buildings, in wall voids, plumbing, or even inside electrical equipment.

Notable Behavior: A Complex Multi-Queen Society

The Pharaoh ant forms polygynous and polydomous societies — multiple queens across multiple connected nest sites within a single colony. This allows it to reproduce and establish new nests rapidly through budding, without needing to wait for a nuptial flight; a queen and a handful of workers splitting off is enough to start a new nest.

It's a generalist feeder, eating both sweets and protein. It lays clear pheromone trails to food and forages around the clock. Workers show no aggression between different nests, so colonies from different sites can merge freely.

This is a moderate species overall — easy to keep, but it reproduces so fast that colony size needs careful management. The colony size listed (1,000–3,000 workers) reflects a typical size in captivity, though uncontrolled infestations in the wild can reach into the millions.

Good to Know

The Pharaoh ant is considered one of the world's most difficult household pests to eliminate and can carry certain pathogens. In science and the ant-keeping hobby, however, it's a popular species for studying complex multi-queen social behavior.

The ideal temperature range is 27–30°C — this species loves warmth and cannot tolerate cold. Moderate to high humidity of 60–80% is recommended. Feed with protein such as crickets or boiled egg, alongside a steady supply of sugar water or honey.