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Everything You Need To Know About Odorous House Ants

There are many different types of ants out there, with some being fairly normal, and others being very strange. One of the stranger species is the odorous house ant, which is a seemingly regular ant species, with the exception that when you kill one of them, it will release a rotten coconut-like smell that is quite strong. Here is everything you need to know about these ants:

Identification

Odorous house ants are fairly small, about 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in length, with a brown or black coloration that has a white sheen to it. They have an oval abdomen that is pointed at the end, and these ants are found throughout the US. However, the best way to identify this species is by the smell left behind when you kill one of them.

Behavior

Odorous house ants have a diet that is based on sugars, and they are particularly fond of honeydew. They will also move their nest every about every three months as weather conditions change. Usually they will nest in exposed soil or under stacks of firewood when they enter the yard, and when they infest indoors, they will build their nests near moisture sources, particularly inside wood damaged by termites, beneath leaky fixtures, in heaters and near hot water pipes.

Prevention

To prevent odorous ant infestations, you have to focus on removing any incentives they may have for setting up in the building, and denying them access points. Odorous house ants love moisture, so removing any standing water and fixing any leaks will have a preventative effect. You also want to make sure that you keep your food in sealed containers and that you do not leave out any food, spills or crumbs. To deny them access points, you can work with a pest control professional to set up a defensive perimeter using insecticides and repellents.

Control

If an infestation has already started in the home, the focus will be on destroying the colony itself. In order to do this, a pest control pro will either find the location of the nest and apply a localized treatment to it, or he will use baits that the ants will take back to the colony and share with other members and the queen. If you would like to know more information about these control and prevention processes, and their prices, contact us today.