PEST NAME :  PHARAOHS ANT (Monomorium pharoanix)

SIZE, SHAPE AND COLOUR :  Up to 2mm. Pale straw yellow with darker head and abdomen. Large head, noticeable black eyes, twin bulge at waist section. Elbowed antennae.

BIOLOGY :  Queens lay approximately 350 eggs. Larvae hatch after 2 weeks and are fed by workers. After a number of skin changes pupation takes place.  Full grown ants hatch soon afterwards depending on temperature.  Colonies are 50,000 to 1000,000 strong with many queens, workers and males.

PREFERRED FOODS :  Any  organic matter, sweet and high protein foodstuff.

HABITAT :  Throughout the UK. Increasing in its range. Needs heated buildings to survive.  Will exploit drains, ductings, cladded pipes and once established can spread quickly throughout any food manufacturing process with satellite nests.

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