Pharaoh Ants
Appearance
Worker ants are approximately 2mm in length, with the queen being slightly larger at 4mm. Worker ants are red in appearance with a darker abdomen. The worker ants are wingless. The queen ants do have wings, but do not fly. Winged males will appear periodically and mate with the queens.
|Back to topWhere to find them
Nests will occupy any suitable crevice and are often located deep within the foundations, service ducting and wall cavities of buildings. The size of the nest appears to be determined by the amount of space available more than any other factor. Pharaoh ants will feed on almost anything, however prefer sweet and proteinaceous foodstuffs.
Pharaoh ants are tropical in origin, this is reflected in the fact that they require a minimum temperature of 18C to breed, with 30C being the optimum. For this reason the ants will inhabit warm areas such as boiler rooms and around central heating pipework. The large boilers and hot water pipes in tower blocks, hospitals, prisons and factories make them particularly susceptible to Pharaoh ant infestation.
|Back to topDisease risk and damage
There are no specific diseases associated with Pharaoh ants. However due to their extremely small size they are able to penetrate all but the most secure packaging. This means that they may contaminate foodstuffs intended for human consumption, with pathogens picked up whilst travelling through buildings. Pharaoh ant infestations within hospitals may pose additional risks to human health.
Control methods
Pharaoh ants can be extremely difficult to eradicate, but control can be achieved by the use of juvenile growth hormone analogues. These chemicals mimic the action of juvenile growth hormone (produced naturally be the ants) and prevent the larvae from developing as well as sterilising the queens and winged males.
|Back to topCost of treatment
£118 (Based on 3 Rooms) For Domestic Rate Clients who do not qualify for Means Tested Benefits.
£POA For Commercial Rate Clients and Landlords requesting the Service.
£51 For any additional rooms required for both Domestic Rate and Commercial Rate Customers
£30 (Based on 3 Rooms) For Concession Rate Clients who do qualify for the specified Means Tested Benefits.
£30 Each for any additional rooms required for Concession Rate Clients
A course of treatment consists of three appointment dates, two weeks between the first and second visit, and six weeks between the second and third visit. Two working days notice must be given if you wish to cancel an appointment. If you fail to give two working days Notice or miss an appointment and wish to re-book, a further charge will be made of:
- £30 For Domestic and Commercial Rate Clients
- £17 For Concession Rate Clients.
Contacts
We are here to help and advise so if you are unsure about a subject or wish to arrange a treatment, please contact us.
Monday - Friday 9am to 5pm
Tel 020 8489 1000 (Pest Control - Customer Care Line)
Address
Pest Control Team
Enforcement Response
Urban Environment
Units 271-272
Lee Valley Technopark
Ashley Road
Tottenham
N17 9LN
Fax 020 8489 5133
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