Did you know that there are a lot of ants in the world – over 12,000 species to be exact? In this series, we will discuss the seven most common ants and information to help you identify them and keep them from hurting you and your home.
In this continuing series, we will describe each of these ants:
- Argentine Ants
- Carpenter Ants
- Crazy Ants
- Fire Ants
- Ghost Ants
- Odorous House Ants
- Pavement Ants
We are covering odorous house ants in this article.
Odorous House Ants
Odorous house ants are located throughout the entire U.S. They congregate in the kitchen, bathroom, near indoor plants and areas with stored food.
There are many queens with many homes in an odorous house ant colony.
You can find these temporary homes under pieces of wood or debris in landscaping. Their diet is similar to carpenter ants eating honeydew from aphids living in vegetation. Your dwelling needs to be completely free from any contact with vegetation where the ants can trail from the vegetation into the building. With the multiple queen aspect of this ant plus its temporary nesting sites, this ant is difficult to control. Workers of this ant are all of one size. These ants do not sting or bite. This ant puts off a strong rotten coconut-like smell when crushed.
Appearance
Odorous House Ants have this appearance:
- Brown or black color
- Six legs
- Segments and oval shape
- 1/16 – 1/8 inch in size
- They have an antennae
Habits
These house ants enjoy eating sweets and love honeydew. In response to rain, these ants move their nests every three months.
Habitat
These house ants are in wall voids near hot water pipes, in heaters, beneath leaky fixtures and inside wood damaged by termites. Odorous ants are found in exposed soil or under stacks of firewood outside.
Threats
Odorous house ants should be avoided because they can contaminate food.
Odorous House Ant Prevention
These pests are attracted to moisture. To prevent odorous house ants in your home or property:
- Eliminate standing water.
- Keep plants, and tree branches cut back from the house.
- Fix and close up cracks or little openings around the bottom of the foundation.
- Move stored firewood and building materials away from the home because odorous house ants like to build nests in stacks of wood.
Please let our team of professionals help you. Don’t spend your valuable time dealing with things that we can handle for you. If you’re in any of the surrounding areas, give Proactive Pest Control a call at 770-800-PEST or 770-800-7378.
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