What do odorous house ants look like?
Odorous house ants are small, brown or black ants, measuring about 1/8 inch in length. They have a relatively smooth, shiny appearance and slender bodies. Their antennae have a small, yet noticeable club at the end.
Odorous house ants can also be identified by the distinctive, unpleasant odor they emit when crushed.
What attracts odorous house ants to my home?
As is the case with most house-infesting insects, odorous house ants are attracted to food and water sources. Common attractants include sugary substances, pet food, and leaky pipes or areas with high humidity.
Where do odorous house ants nest?
Indoors, odorous house ants often nest in wall voids, particularly around insulation. They also establish nests under sinks and appliances, beneath floors, and behind baseboards, as well as near sources of moisture and in termite-damaged wood.
Outside, they nest in soil, mulch, garden beds, and under rocks, logs, and other yard debris.
Are odorous house ants harmful to humans?
Odorous house ants are not aggressive and do not sting. They do not transmit diseases or cause health issues, but their presence can be a nuisance. For example, when they infest kitchens, they often contaminate food.
What are the signs of an odorous house ant problem?
Signs of odorous house ant activity include the following:
- Ant trails moving to and from food sources to nesting sites.
- Finding nesting sites in the areas mentioned above.
- Ants in outdoor areas close to your home.
- Large groups of ants clustering together, especially in moisture prone areas.
Property owners should also keep an eye out for moisture damage as it attracts odorous house ants and other pests.
What should I do if I have an odorous house ant infestation?
If you already have an odorous house ant infestation, the best thing you can do is the skip the DIY treatments and contact a pest control company for assistance. While ant baits and insecticides you buy at the store may kill the ants searching for food in your kitchen, they won't address the root cause of an ant problem or eliminate the entire colony. That means ants will keep coming back.
How do I get rid of odorous house ants?
At Evergreen Pest Solutions, we offer pest control services in Richmond and throughout our Virginia service area that are designed to exterminate odorous house ants. What’s more, when you sign up for ongoing home pest control services, we’ll make sure ants and other house-infesting pests don’t have a chance to take over!
How can I prevent odorous house ants?
To prevent odorous house ants from infesting, our pest control specialists recommend the following prevention tips:
- Seal entry points around doors, windows, and cracks.
- Keep food sealed and stored properly.
- Clean and disinfect kitchen counters, appliances, and floors regularly.
- Address any moisture issues in the home.
- Trim back tree branches, shrubs, and bushes so that they don't touch the house.
- Refresh mulch every two years or sooner if mold starts to grow or it starts breaking down.
- Store firewood away from the house and off the ground.
- Remove leaves and other organic debris that accumulates near your structure or in your yard.
