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Boric dust alone is generally not very effective for Pharaoh ants and can sometimes make infestations worse if applied incorrectly.
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Pharaoh ants have unique behaviors that make dust-based contact insecticides (like boric dust) much less effective compared to baiting methods:
They Nest Deep Indoors
Pharaoh ants build their colonies inside walls, under floors, behind baseboards, or within electrical and plumbing lines. Simply applying dust on surfaces won’t reach these hidden nesting sites.
Dust Can Repel Ants
Boric dust acts as a desiccant—it damages the ants’ outer coating, causing them to dry out. While this works on contact, Pharaoh ants often avoid dusted areas, which can cause colonies to “bud” (split into new colonies) and spread even further.
No Colony Elimination
Dust kills individual ants that walk through it, but Pharaoh ant colonies contain multiple queens and hundreds to thousands of workers. Killing a few foragers won’t collapse the colony.
Difficult to Apply in Apartments
In multi-unit buildings, dusting is tricky. If applied incorrectly (e.g., blowing dust into cracks), it can spread into adjacent units, HVAC systems, or be inhaled by residents. Most building managers and professionals avoid dusting for Pharaoh ants except in very targeted, inaccessible voids.
Although boric dust shouldn’t be your main treatment, it can supplement baiting programs in some situations:
Inside wall voids where ant trails are confirmed
Behind switch plates or plumbing penetrations (applied lightly)
In sealed, non-living spaces where ants move but humans and pets don’t have contact
Even then, it’s usually applied using special dusters by professionals—not scattered like DIY powders.
👉 Boric dust is not a reliable or primary control method for Pharaoh ants.
Because of their nesting habits, colony structure, and behavior, baiting with low-concentration boric acid or professional non-repellent baits is far more effective. In apartment buildings and condos, improper use of dust can cause infestations to spread, making the problem worse over time.
For Pharaoh ant infestations—especially in multi-unit dwellings—it’s best to rely on building-wide professional baiting programs rather than dusting alone.
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