The pharaoh ant hails from the tropical regions of Africa, so colonies thrive in warm, humid environments. These ants do not build little hills in the dirt or dig tunnels in the wood. Instead they enter structures through openings and cracks (or through voids in cabinets, baseboards, window frames, etc.). Nests may be found near a heat source such as a heat pipe or radiator. For instance, you may unintentionally invite a colony to take up residence by carrying part of a nest hidden in a box into your home.

Colonies are highly mobile and can easily change locations if environmental conditions change. Inside buildings, workers are often attracted to sources of moisture. They can usually be found moving along pipes in the kitchen or bathroom. Outside, workers gather around windows and doors. While they can be found during the day, these ants tend to be active toward evening.

Pharaoh ants seek out sugars, fats, and insects to feed the colony. If a colony is under stress, it may split into multiple smaller colonies and spread out in a structure.

Regular and thorough housecleaning helps reduce the number of ants in your home by limiting the amount of food available to workers.