Which ant is known for forming very large colonies that can be difficult to control?

Pharaoh ants are known for forming very large colonies, which can often number in the thousands and sometimes even hundreds of thousands of individuals. This trait makes them particularly challenging to control when infestations occur, as their colonies can establish multiple nests and have a unique ability to split and form new colonies when disturbed.

This multiplication and dispersal capability complicate elimination efforts, as targeting only a portion of the colony may simply lead to the ants relocating to other areas or creating new nests. In addition, Pharaoh ants prefer warm indoor environments, which allows them to thrive in human structures, further exacerbating control challenges.

The other ant species mentioned do have their specific characteristics and nesting behaviors, but they do not exhibit the same level of colony size and resilience as Pharaoh ants, making these other choices less suitable when considering the question's context of large and difficult-to-control colonies.