Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) are tiny (1.5–2mm), pale yellow to light brown, and among the most difficult ants to eliminate in Florida. They nest inside structures — in wall voids, behind baseboards, inside electrical outlets, and within insulation — and form massive colonies with hundreds of queens. They are most commonly found near moisture: bathrooms, kitchens, and areas near plumbing.
The critical rule with pharaoh ants: never spray them with a repellent insecticide. Doing so triggers a survival response called "budding," where the colony fractures into dozens of smaller groups that scatter throughout the structure, dramatically worsening the infestation. The only effective treatment is slow-acting sweet bait — protein and sweet bait placed in consistent locations near foraging trails. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony, where it spreads through the population and eventually eliminates the queens. This process takes weeks, not days, and requires bait stations to remain undisturbed throughout treatment.