Pharaoh ant treatment sits at the more expensive end of household pest control, and for good reason - the treatment method, the number of visits required, and the time the process takes are all different from an ordinary garden ant problem. Here’s what to expect.
What We Charge
Our pharaoh ant treatment is £260 for a flat and £290 for a house, covering a two-visit programme. Extra visits, if the colony needs them, are £70 each. That's more than standard ant treatment (£190 for a flat, £220 for a house), which can often be cleared in a single visit.
Why Pharaoh Ants Cost More to Treat
The Treatment Method Is Slower by Design
Unlike garden ants, which respond well to a direct spray or dust applied to the nest, pharaoh ants require slow-acting gel or hormone baits placed in multiple locations around the property. Worker ants carry the bait back to the colony over days or weeks, gradually reaching the queens. This method takes longer and requires more product and technician time than a single spray treatment, which is reflected in the price.
Multiple Visits Are Standard
Because a single bait application rarely reaches every queen and satellite colony in one go, most professional treatments include at least two visits, often two weeks apart, with further follow-ups if activity continues. Redbridge Council’s pharaoh ant treatment guidance notes that the hormone bait it uses continues working for up to two months and must be left in place until all the ants have died off, which is why the process runs over several weeks rather than being resolved in a single visit. Some providers include follow-ups in the initial price; others charge per additional visit, so it’s worth checking exactly what’s covered before booking.
The Infestation Can Be More Extensive Than It Looks
Pharaoh ant colonies can split into satellite nests spread through wall cavities and service ducts, particularly in flats and converted buildings. A property with multiple affected rooms, or one that shares walls or ducting with neighbouring flats, often needs a more thorough - and therefore more expensive - treatment plan than a single-room garden ant problem.
What Should Be Included in a Proper Quote
- An inspection to identify likely nesting areas and the extent of the infestation
- Bait placed in multiple locations, not just where ants have been seen
- At least one follow-up visit to check on progress and top up bait as needed
- Clear advice on hygiene and food storage, since leftover food can distract ants from the bait and slow treatment down
- A realistic timeframe - treatment that promises to be finished in a single visit is worth double-checking, since pharaoh ants rarely clear that quickly
Why It’s Not Worth Trying to Save Money on DIY
Off-the-shelf ant sprays are cheaper upfront, but as covered in our identification guide, spraying pharaoh ants can trigger the colony to split and spread rather than die off - turning a single-room problem into a building-wide one and ultimately costing more to resolve than professional treatment would have from the start.
Need it dealt with?
See how our pharaoh ant control in London works, check every price in full, or get a free quote and we will call you back within 15 minutes, day or night. If the pests come back within 60 days, we return free.
Need pharaoh ants treated?
See how our pharaoh ant control in London works, what it costs and what is included.