The small first brood workers then forage for food. The colony grows in size and numbers as more young are produced. Budding occurs when one or more queens leave the nest accompanied by workers who aid in establishing and caring for the new colony. Some of the most difficult ant species to control spread colonies by budding. Pharaoh ants, some kinds of fire ants, ghost ants, and Argentine ants spread colonies by budding.
Most ants eat a wide variety of foods, although some have specialized tastes.
Fire ants feed on honeydew, sugars, proteins, oils, seeds, plants and insects. Pharaoh ants feed on sugars, proteins, oils and insects. Ants locate food by random searching. When a scouting ant finds promising food, she carries it or a piece of it back to the nest. Any workers she meets on the way become excited and rush toward the nest.