Odorous House Ants

About

The odorous house ant gets its name from the strong, rotten coconut-like smell it gives off when crushed. These tiny brown ants range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to one-eighth of an inch long.

  • Habits

Odorous house ants prefer to nest in moist areas and often create a network of interconnected nests consisting of thousands of workers and many queens. Outdoors, they can nest in mulch beds, beneath stones or pieces of wood, under the loose bark of trees,and beneatha variety of man-made objects.

  • Threats

Odorous ants are attracted to sugary substances and can quickly infest kitchens, pantries, and other areas where food is stored. They leave scent trails, allowing other ants to follow and join in the search for food sources. This behaviour can lead to food contamination, which may pose health risks.

  • Prevention

Odorous House Ants are attracted to moisture. Be sure to eliminate any standing water in and around your home. Ants can also use tree branches near your roofline to get into your house, so trim trees and branches to make sure they are not touching your home.

  • Additional Information

There’s no additional information.

  • Colors

Brown or black

  • Legs

6

  • Size

1/16″ to 1/8″

  • Shape

Segmented, oval

  • Antennae

Yes