Odorous House Ants
These ants have their own signature scent that they leave behind - unfortunately that scent is similar to rotten coconut or blue cheese
What do odorous house ants look like?
Odorous house ants are dark brown or grayish-black and range in size from 2-3mm. They have a flattened, single node connecting their abdomen to thorax, which is hard to spot from above because it lies flat. Their thorax is covered in small hairs, and they have 12 antennal segments. They can sometimes be confused with pavement ants due to their similar size and color. Odorous house ants can be distinguished by their single flat node, while pavement ants have two visible nodes. The most unique trait of odorous house ants is their ability to emit a distinct, rotten odor when crushed—something no other ant does!
Where do odorous house ants nest?
Odorous house ants are highly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of environments, though they do have preferences. They tend to favour areas with high moisture close to food sources. Outdoors, they are commonly found in moist, lush areas like streams, ponds, and gardens, often nesting in soil, mulch, or under rocks and logs. Indoors they gravitate toward damp spaces such as wall voids, wet wood or insulation, hot water pipes, and plumbing areas. They are incredibly adaptable, and can make most environments work for them. Regardless of their nesting location or their adaptability, odorous house ants aren’t tied down—they will relocate their nests if the conditions no longer suit their needs.
Did you know?
Odorous house ants are one of the most widespread ant species in North America. They are found in southern Canada, the United States, and Mexico
what do they eat?
Odorous house ants are expert foragers, using well-established trails to navigate to food sources. They can travel long distances, leaving chemical trails for other workers to follow. Their preferred foods include honeydew, nectar, fruit, crumbs, and sugary treats, but they’ll also scavenge dead insects or grease when necessary. Active both day and night, they can be seen marching in lines to their food. These ants use a unique foraging method called "dispersed central-placed foraging," meaning they frequently change their foraging sites and may even relocate their nests closer to food sources. They can redistribute workers, brood, and queens based on the availability of food or move the entire nest if needed.
Odorous House ant colonies
Odorous house ants are classified as "tramp ants," a group known for behaviors that make them difficult to control. Their colony structure includes multiple queens, which enables them to "bud." Budding occurs when a colony splits into several sub-colonies, each capable of rapid reproduction. Odorous house ants also cooperate with related colonies and sub-colonies, linking foraging trails and exchanging workers, food, or brood. These behaviors allow them to form supercolonies, which can consist of up to 500,000 workers and numerous nests, making them a formidable presence.
what are the risks of having odorous house ants?
1.
fast Growing Colonies
One of the main challenges of tramp ants like odorous house ants is their ability to form multiple colonies, which allows them to invade homes quickly and efficiently. If left untreated, odorous house ants will continue to establish new colonies, eventually forming a supercolony. Once this happens, they become increasingly difficult to eliminate, which is why it’s essential to contact pest control experts as soon as possible to ensure proper and effective treatment.
2.
Risk of food contamination
​Odorous house ants pose a contamination risk to human food they encounter. These ants travel long distances in search of food, often leading them into unsanitary environments. They can forage in garbage and then transfer contaminants to uncovered food in your kitchen. If you spot ants in your kitchen, it's important to take action by ensuring food is properly covered to prevent contamination.
How to get rid of odorous house ants?
If you have noticed odorous house 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.