You’ve seen the lines of ants that scurry along the sidewalk during warm weather. You’ve probably even seen an ant or two (or more) venture into your home from time to time. Given their tiny size, you could be forgiven for thinking all ants look the same. Despite the similarities in appearance, not all ants are the same. The odorous house ant is one species in particular that you could find making an appearance in your home.
Appearance and Unique Characteristic
At a glance, odorous house ants have a pretty generic appearance. They’re pretty small: workers are between 1/16-⅛ of an inch long. They’re black or brown in color, so they’ll blend right in with other common ant species. What makes the odorous house ant unique is the smell they give off if they are crushed. It’s not pleasant, and is sometimes described as being similar to rotting coconut.
Ideal Habitat
As the name suggests, the odorous house ant is a pretty common home invader. This is because the ants prefer to stay close to sources of food and water, which homes tend to have in abundance. They are especially drawn to foods that have a high sugar content. Odorous house ants prefer to make their nests close to water, which is why they’ll often be found in places like crawl spaces, wall voids near sinks and hot water pipes, and inside heaters. Places that were damaged by wood damaging insects like termites are also ideal. They’ll make nests outside too. Preferred outdoor nesting sites include wood piles, rock piles, the dirt under mulch, and fallen trees.
Removal
Getting rid of ants can be tough, regardless of the species. Because of this, one of the best ways to remove them is to contact professional pest control services like Proterra Pest Control. Professionals know where entrance points tend to be, how to find them, and the best ways to close them off. They also know what sorts of things attract odorous house ants, so they’ll be able to help you make your home a less inviting environment. Of course, they’ll be able to help you get rid of the ants you’re currently dealing with too.
Ants tend to be more of a nuisance pest than a dangerous one. Such is the case with the odorous house ant. Of course, given their preference for moisture-rich habitats, their presence in your home could be a sign that you have water damage. If you notice odorous house ants in your home, take action to have them removed and make sure that they aren’t an indication of more trouble.
Need help with ant removal? Proterra Pest Control has you covered. Contact us to get a service scheduled today.