Use historic perception to manage cussed pharaoh ants

Photograph: courtesy of, and copyrighted by, Gene White, pmimages@earthlink.web

When pest administration professionals (PMPs) consider cussed pests, one of many first names that involves thoughts is the pharaoh ant (Monomorium pharaonis).

Nevertheless, essentially the most recognizable pharaoh in historical past wasn’t named. Though fashionable depictions* of the Exodus story establish Ramesses II because the antagonist, the Hebrew scriptures omit the pharaoh’s title.

Within the story of Exodus, the pharaoh’s “coronary heart was hardened” at the least 5 instances, leading to
10 plagues introduced upon Egypt. This cussed conduct has theological implications that gained’t be explored right here, however suffice to say that it took some extraordinary effort, together with a number of pest plagues, earlier than the Israelites might escape from slavery in Egypt. Let’s discover two pest management classes that may be realized from this story:

1. Not like the unnamed pharaoh of the Bible, establish your pest. Due to the pharaoh ant’s predilection for budding when uncovered to repellent pesticides, correct identification is a requirement. By figuring out precisely which pest ant is infesting the construction, a complete administration program will be developed primarily based on its biology and conduct.

2. Pharaoh ant infestations will be cussed, usually requiring a number of callbacks to get passable management. In most elements of the nation, pharaoh ant nests will likely be discovered indoors as a result of species’ temperature necessities. Primarily based on this info, technicians typically restrict their therapy to the indoor areas of the account. However regardless of their indoor nesting choice, pharaoh ants will eagerly forage exterior to seek out meals throughout heat climate. As a result of infestations usually are comprised of a number of small colonies, apply quite a few small bait placements — in line with label directions — each in and out.

It might have taken 10 plagues to get via to the pharaoh of Exodus, however with some further data, it shouldn’t take 10 callbacks to rid your shopper’s constructing of cussed pharaoh ants.

*See The Ten Commandments (Paramount Footage, 1956), directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Charlton Heston, or The Prince of Egypt (DreamWorks Footage, 1998), an animated adaptation of the film.