Citronella Ants
These ants leave behind a surprisingly pleasant signature scent - a fresh citrus/lemon fragrance.
What do citronella ants look like?
Citronella ants vary in color, ranging from yellow to a brownish-orange hue, with a translucent appearance. Worker ants typically measure between 4-5mm, while the queen can grow up to 8mm. They have a single node connecting the thorax and abdomen, and their bodies are covered in tiny hairs. However, their most distinctive feature isn't their appearance, but the strong lemon scent they emit when threatened or crushed. This citrus fragrance is the easiest way to identify them.
Where do they nest?
Citronella ants prefer to live outdoors and have little interest in indoor spaces. They typically nest in moist soil, along house foundations, in gardens, or beneath objects such as logs, rocks, concrete slabs, or porches. While they usually leave homeowners undisturbed, they can become a nuisance during their nuptial flight, when they take to the air to reproduce. During this time, they may fly into cracks around the home—such as doorways, windows, or the foundation—or swarm around the exterior. For some, this may be a one-time occurrence, while for others, it could happen repeatedly, signaling the presence of a nearby colony. Although citronella ants don't typically nest indoors, they may occasionally settle in crawl spaces or in moist or damaged wood within a home.
What do they eat?
Despite their name and citrus scent, citronella ants do not eat lemons! In fact, they have no interest in human food at all. Their diet consists solely of honeydew, a sugary byproduct produced by aphids and mealybugs. Citronella ants essentially farm the aphids, and they form a rather complex relationship. It’s a mutually beneficial partnership: the ants feed on the honeydew produced by the aphids, while the aphids receive protection, care, and a steady food supply from the ants.
Citronella ants are highly dedicated to their aphid colonies, and they go to great lengths to ensure their survival
Citronella ants will carry aphids to a new fulfilling food source when a food source becomes depleted
They leave scents on aphids intended to warn off predators
Fiercely fight off predators that are preying on aphids
These are some of the activities Citronella ants do to care for their aphids:
They will take aphids eggs into their colonies over the winter. Once the temperatures warm, they will carry the hatched aphids outside to a plant to feed on
How to get rid of Citronella ants?
If you have noticed citronella ant activity inside or around your home, it is time to call in the pest control experts! Rural Routes Pest Control can provide control for the ant activity you are experiencing.
for more information about our ant control services.