Pharaoh Ant vs Little Black Ant
Pharaoh Ants and little black ants are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A Pharaoh ant has very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen, while a little black ant has very small, glossy jet-black body.
Side-by-side comparison
| Pharaoh Ant | Little Black Ant | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Ants | Ants |
| Scientific name | Monomorium pharaonis | Monomorium minimum |
| Size | 1.5–2 mm | 1.5–2 mm |
| Colors | Yellow and Tan | Black |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | No | No |
| Bites or stings | No | No |
| Risk | Nuisance | Nuisance |
| Key feature | Very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen | Very small, glossy jet-black body |
Key differences
- Color: Pharaoh Ants are yellow and tan; little black ants are black.
- Where found: look for Pharaoh ants in the kitchen and in the bathroom; little black ants turn up in the kitchen and in lawns and grass.
- Signature feature: Pharaoh Ants: very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen. Little Black Ants: very small, glossy jet-black body.
How to identify Pharaoh ants
A tiny, pale yellow ant that nests in warm, hidden spots inside walls, cabinets and appliances. Colonies split into new nests when disturbed, which makes them hard to control.
- Very small, light yellow to amber body with a darker abdomen
- Two-node waist and a three-segment antennal club
- Trails along plumbing, outlets and baseboards
How to identify little black ants
A tiny, jet-black, shiny ant that nests in lawns, under rocks and in wall voids. Workers form narrow trails to sweets, grease and meats.
- Very small, glossy jet-black body
- Two nodes in the waist
- Slow-moving, narrow single-file trails
Which one is more dangerous?
Neither is more dangerous than the other; both are rated nuisance on our scale.
They don't bite, but in hospitals and kitchens they can carry bacteria onto clean surfaces. Little black ants have a sting too weak to feel; they are a nuisance only.
Where and when you'll see each
Pharaoh Ants turn up in the kitchen and in the bathroom, mostly in spring, summer, fall and winter. Little Black Ants turn up in the kitchen and in lawns and grass, mostly in spring and summer.
Because they share habitat, you may find both in the same place, so check each individual.
What to do if you find one
Pharaoh Ants: Use slow-acting baits only, because sprays cause colonies to split. Read the full removal guide for more.
Little Black Ants: Locate outdoor nests near the foundation and treat them with bait. Read the full removal guide for more.
Biology: ants
Ants live in colonies ruled by one or more egg-laying queens. The workers you see are sterile females foraging for the rest of the colony, so killing visible ants rarely solves anything. Winged ants, called swarmers, appear when a mature colony sends out new kings and queens.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Pharaoh ants and little black ants?
Color: Pharaoh Ants are yellow and tan; little black ants are black.
Which is bigger, a Pharaoh ant or a little black ant?
Pharaoh Ant: 1.5–2 mm. Little Black Ant: 1.5–2 mm.
Do Pharaoh ants or little black ants bite?
Pharaoh Ants do not bite. Little Black Ants do not bite.
Where are they usually found?
Pharaoh Ants: in the kitchen and in the bathroom. Little Black Ants: in the kitchen and in lawns and grass.