In this post, we’ll explain where Pharaoh ants came from, how they spread in Canadian apartment settings, and what you can do to control and prevent infestations.
Background: How Pharaoh Ants Came to Canada
Despite their name, Pharaoh ants (Monomorium pharaonis) are not native to Egypt. They are believed to have originated from tropical regions of Africa, and spread worldwide through international trade and shipping during the 19th and 20th centuries.
As global trade expanded, Pharaoh ants hitched rides in cargo shipments, food supplies, building materials, and luggage. Over time, they established themselves in temperate countries like Canada, but because they can’t survive cold winters outdoors, they adapted to indoor environments—especially heated buildings.
Today, Pharaoh ants are found across Canada, particularly in urban centers such as Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, where apartment complexes and condominiums provide ideal living conditions year-round.
Why Pharaoh Ants Love Apartments and High-Rises
Pharaoh ants thrive in warm, humid, and hidden indoor spaces, making apartments and high-rise buildings a perfect environment.
Some key reasons why they spread so easily in these settings:
Shared Infrastructure – Ants travel through plumbing lines, electrical wiring, and wall voids, allowing them to spread quickly between units.
Multiple Food Sources – Kitchens, garbage chutes, and common areas provide easy access to crumbs, grease, and sugary substances.
Warm, Stable Temperatures – Heated buildings allow Pharaoh ants to survive and reproduce year-round, regardless of Canada’s harsh winters.
Rapid Reproduction – Pharaoh ants build multiple satellite colonies, each with its own queens. This makes infestations resilient to improper treatments and DIY methods.
Why Pharaoh Ant Infestations Are a Serious Problem
Pharaoh ants may seem harmless at first glance due to their tiny size (about 1.5–2 mm), but they can create massive infestations that spread rapidly.
Difficult to Eradicate – Spraying or disturbing their colonies often causes “budding,” where the colony splits into several new colonies, worsening the infestation.
Health Risks – Pharaoh ants can carry and spread pathogens like Salmonella and Streptococcus, contaminating food and surfaces.
Hidden Nests – Their nests are often located deep within walls, behind baseboards, or inside appliances, making them hard to locate.
Persistent Infestations – Once established, Pharaoh ants can survive for years without coordinated, building-wide control measures.
How to Manage Pharaoh Ant Infestations in Apartment Buildings
Using regular insect sprays can scatter the ants and trigger colony budding, making the problem worse.
2. Use Targeted Baiting Techniques
Professional pest control companies use specialized, non-repellent baits that ants carry back to the colony, eliminating it from the inside.
3. Coordinate Building-Wide Treatments
Because Pharaoh ants move freely between units, treating one apartment is rarely effective. Coordinated treatments across multiple units and common areas are essential.
Caulk cracks, gaps around pipes, and electrical outlets to limit movement between units.
Keep food sealed, clean up spills quickly, and minimize grease and moisture buildup, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
Pharaoh ants are not a seasonal pest in Canada—they’re a year-round indoor problem, particularly in multi-unit buildings. Their adaptability, rapid reproduction, and hidden nesting habits make them one of the most challenging pests to control in apartment settings.
Professional pest control services that understand Pharaoh ant behavior and can apply targeted baiting strategies are the best way to achieve complete elimination.
Pharaoh Ant Control Experts in Calgary & Surrounding Areas
If you’re dealing with a Pharaoh ant infestation in your apartment or condo building, Pest Pro Exterminator can help. With over 17 years of exterior pest management experience and 12+ years of interior pest control expertise, we specialize in high-rise and apartment pest solutions across Calgary and nearby communities.
📞 (587) 500-8857
📧 info@pestproexterminator.ca
🌐 pestproexterminator.ca
