Monomorium pharaonis is the scientific name for one of South Florida’s more interesting pests. However, most people just refer to the creatures as pharaoh ants. Like the humans that they share a moniker with, these 1/12-inch long formicidae have been around for centuries. They have also been the target of our South Florida exterminators.
South Florida exterminator lore has it that the pharaoh ants got their name because of an erroneous connection to ancient Egypt’s insect plagues. Although these African natives didn’t participate in the plague, it doesn’t mean that they are not trouble with a capital T.
Pharaoh ants love to nest in hot, humid enclosed areas. So that makes them exceptionally fond of South Florida. Hot, humid homes are not their only nesting spots either. These South Florida pests have a penchant for medical facilities as well.
When they do infest medical facilities, it is not uncommon to see them drinking from blood plasma bags, IV bags or the mouths of sleeping humans. What makes such situations even more disturbing is that the ants are also known carriers of diseases. Some of the diseases connected to South Florida’s pharaoh ant population are streptococcus, salmonella and staphylococcus.
To add to the problem, once the pharaoh ants establish a nest, their numbers can grow quickly. Perhaps that is why they were once falsely associated with the plagues. How quickly can they reproduce? Well, each female, of which there may be more than 100 per nest, is capable of producing 400 eggs at a time. Those eggs are capable of turning into additional females in less than 40 days. So in as little as two months, a South Florida dwelling can literally become overrun with pharaohs.
The good news is that our South Florida exterminators know how to bring the pharaohs’ reign to a swift conclusion. To learn more about how they accomplish such a challenging feat, please contact us at (866) 611-2847.
The post South Florida Exterminators can Conquer Pharaoh Ant Empires appeared first on Hulett Environmental Services | Pest Control South Florida.
