The Pharaoh ant name possibly arises from the mistaken tradition that it was one of the plagues of ancient Egypt during the time of Pharaohs. Many also refer to this species as the “sugar ant.” This ant is distributed worldwide, is one of the more common household ants, and carries the dubious distinction of being one of the most difficult household ants to control. More than just the food it consumes or spoils, this ant is considered a serious pest simply due to its ability for “getting into things.”

Pharaoh ants are very small—about 1/16 inch long. They have light yellow bodies with red and black markings on the abdomen. Pharaoh ants eat food of all types, but especially sweets. They will also eat other insects.