Odorous House Ants
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Getting ants in the house is never fun, but the only way to get rid of an infestation is to accurately identify the type of ant. There are a wide range of ants that live in North America, and the specific species will determine the best way to get rid of the ant. At Better Termites, we have the experience to eradicate any ant species from your property. This includes the odorous house ant.
Odorous house ants are relatively small. If you measured one, it would not be longer than 3.5 millimeters. Their tiny bodies are usually dark brown, but they can also appear black. Upon closer examination, an odorous house ant will have a thorax that is uneven. This is only visible from the side. These characteristics can be hard for anyone to distinguish, but odorous house ants do have one, key identifying feature. Their smell is unfortunately memorable. When odorous house ants are in your home, you are likely to notice a foul odor. Most people describe the smell as rotten coconuts. This smell is emitted when the ant’s body is crushed.
Identifying the ant is only part of the battle. You also need to figure out how these ants are getting into your home. Odorous house ants will typically make their nests in the walls or beneath the floorboards. Like most ants, they prefer to feed on sweets, which is why they are usually found near kitchens or food storage areas. Although they prefer sweets, odorous house ants are not overly picky. They will also feast on meats or grease.
What You Need to Know
When these ants move around your home, they are often in groups. You will rarely spot one ant by itself. Instead, you will probably see a trail of ants as they forage in groups. This foraging can happen at day or night. Your home is more vulnerable to an infestation after it rains. Lots of rainwater will disrupt the normal life of odorous house ants outside. This can motivate them to seek shelter in a dry location. Your home can sometimes be the ant’s solution.
Infestations are also more likely during certain times of the year. During the summer, the ants may be at their heyday, but with ample food sources found in nature, these ants do not have to seek alternatives as often. However, when the weather starts to cool down and natural food sources are diminished, the odorous house ant is more likely to start looking for new food sources inside.
In most cases, odorous house ants are not actually dangerous. They do not sting or bite. However, if left unchecked, these ants can quickly contaminate your food supplies. Worse, because odorous house ants move in large groups, they can be very hard to effectively eradicate without professional help.
Fortunately, reliable help is available from our team at Better Termites. Our pest control experts are thoroughly trained to identify the ant species and the location of the nest. Then, we use advanced techniques to effectively and safely eradicate the presence of insects from your home. If you suspect you have odorous house ants or any other kind of pest, do not wait. At Better Termites, we are ready and waiting to help with all your pest control needs. Contact our team for a consultation today.
