Pharaoh ant
Monomorium pharaonis
Size: 1.5–2 mm
Tiny, yellowish ant that nests in wall voids and behind skirting. Very common in apartments and hospitals; sprays cause colonies to split and spread.
Pest guide · Cheonti · چیونٹی
Ant Control & Treatment
The ants you see are only the foragers. We identify the species and use baits and non-repellent treatments that the workers carry home — eliminating the colony, not just the trail.
Introduction
What are ants?
Ants are social insects that live in colonies ruled by one or more queens. Worker ants lay down scent trails to food and water, which is why a single crumb or sugar spill can bring a long line of ants into your kitchen within hours.
Different ants need different treatments. Tiny Pharaoh ants nest inside walls and split into new colonies when sprayed; black crazy ants run erratically along walls and pipes; carpenter ants hollow out damp wood; and fire ants deliver painful stings in gardens and lawns.
That is why the first step in ant control is correct identification. We then use slow-acting baits and non-repellent treatments that workers share with the queen and the brood, so the whole colony collapses instead of simply moving somewhere else.
- Size
- 1.5–15 mm depending on species
- Colony
- Hundreds to hundreds of thousands
- Peak season
- Apr–Aug (hot months)
- Found in
- Kitchens, bathrooms, wall voids, gardens
Species
Common ants species in Pakistan
Correct identification decides the treatment. These are the types our technicians find most often.
Black crazy ant
Paratrechina longicornis
Size: 2.5–3 mm
Dark ant with very long legs and antennae that runs erratically. Forms large colonies in soil, cracks and potted plants.
Carpenter ant
Camponotus spp.
Size: 6–15 mm
Large black or bicolour ant that excavates galleries in damp or damaged wood, leaving small piles of fine sawdust.
Tropical fire ant
Solenopsis geminata
Size: 3–6 mm
Reddish-brown ant with a painful sting; builds nests in lawns and gardens and swarms aggressively when disturbed.
Health risk
Why ants are a problem
Food contamination
Ants march through bins and drains and then into sugar, food and baby formula, carrying bacteria with them.
Hospital & clinic risk
Pharaoh ants are known to enter wound dressings and sterile areas in healthcare facilities, spreading contamination.
Painful stings
Fire ants sting repeatedly; some people have strong allergic reactions to their venom.
Wood & electrical damage
Carpenter ants weaken damp timber, and some ants nest in switchboards and electrical equipment.
Warning signs
Signs of an ant infestation
- Trails of ants along skirting, counters and pipes
- Ants gathering at sugar, sweets, pet food or sink areas
- Small soil mounds in lawns and between paving
- Fine sawdust piles near wooden frames (carpenter ants)
- Winged ants appearing indoors in spring
Solution for this pest
How PestVira gets rid of ants
Our Integrated Pest Management process for ants — the least-hazardous effective method, applied exactly where it is needed.
Trail tracking
We follow ant trails back towards nest sites inside walls, under floors or in the garden, and note all entry points.
Species identification
The species decides the bait type (sugar, protein or oil-based) and whether sprays must be avoided — critical for Pharaoh ants.
Baiting & non-repellent treatment
Slow-acting gel or granular baits are placed along trails; workers carry them back to the queen. Outdoors, a non-repellent perimeter treatment stops re-entry.
Follow-up check
We check trails 10–14 days later, adjust baits if needed and seal key entry points.
Treatment methods we use
Species-specific gel baitsGranular baits for gardensNon-repellent perimeter treatmentNest & mound treatmentEntry-point sealing
Prevention
How to prevent ants
- Wipe up sugar, crumbs and spills straight away.
- Store sugar, honey and sweets in airtight jars.
- Rinse food containers before putting them in the bin.
- Seal cracks along skirting boards, windows and pipes.
- Keep plants and mulch a little away from the walls.
- Don’t spray ant trails — it can make colonies split.
People also ask
Ants: questions people ask
Answers to the most searched questions about ants in Pakistan.
Ask us a questionHow do I get rid of ants in my kitchen permanently?
Use slow-acting baits along the trail rather than sprays, so workers carry the bait back to the colony and the queen. Clean spills, seal entry points and store sweet food in airtight containers. For recurring or large infestations, professional species-specific baiting works best.
Why do ants keep coming back after I spray?
Sprays kill the workers you see but not the queen or the brood hidden in walls or soil. Some species, like Pharaoh ants, respond to sprays by splitting into several new colonies, which makes the problem worse.
Are ants harmful to health?
Most household ants are a nuisance, but they can contaminate food with bacteria from bins and drains. Pharaoh ants are a concern in hospitals, and fire ants deliver painful stings that can cause allergic reactions.
What attracts ants into the house?
Food (especially sugar and grease), water from leaks and sinks, and shelter in wall voids. Hot weather and rain also drive ants indoors.
How long does ant bait take to work?
You will usually see more ants at the bait for the first day or two — that is a good sign. Colonies typically decline over one to two weeks as the bait is shared through the nest.
Related pests
Often found together with ants
Get rid of ants — book a free inspection.
Our technician will confirm the species, show you where they are coming from and give you a written treatment plan and quote.