Odorous House Ants Identification

What are odorous house ants? 

Odorous house ants are a species that is more well known for what they smell like rather than what they look like. If you spot an odorous house ant, all you will see is a small black or brown ant, but if you accidentally step on one, you will immediately know what type of ant is on your property. Odorous house ants produce a foul rotten-coconut-like odor when crushed.

Are odorous house ants dangerous?

Odorous house ants are more frustrating to deal with than dangerous. These smelly ants don’t bite or sting people, nor do they cause structural damage to our homes. However, these ants will invade spaces in large numbers, and their small size makes them difficult to stop. Inside, as they crawl across counters and tables searching for food, they contaminate surfaces with bacteria they carry on their bodies. 

Why do I have an odorous house ant problem?

Odorous house ants live outside all us around in Florida. It is very easy for them to find a way into our yards and then into our homes while searching for food and water or a suitable nesting spot. Things found in most of our Florida yards that will catch an odorous house ants eye, or nose, since ants have a very strong sense of smell:

• Trash cans and recycling bins

• Pet food

• Vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, fruit trees

• Outdoor eating areas

• Grill areas

Where will I find odorous house ants?

Nesting near areas of moisture, odorous house ants will choose various locations to build a nest. Outside, they like to nest under rocks, trees, mulch, or piles of leaves or other yards debris. After moving inside while searching for food, it is common for them to stay and build a satellite nest. Common nesting spots for these ants in our homes include wall voids and spaces under furniture near leaky pipes, sinks, tubs, or air conditioners. 

How do I get rid of odorous house ants?

To get rid of the current problems you are experiencing with odorous house ants, reach out to the experts at Empire Pest Defense. We will protect your home or business from ants and other pests through personalized, effective, and customer-focused services. 

Empire Pest Defense is a local company with a deep commitment to our community and we provide our customers top-notch services. All of our technicians are licensed, insured, trained, and dedicated to helping West Palm Beach home and business owners keep their properties free of pests. Contact us today and learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services, or request an inspection!

How can I prevent odorous house ants in the future?

Avoid problems with odorous house ants with the help of the professionals at Empire Pest Defense, our effective pest control solutions, and our practical prevention tips:

• Take away their access to food that they want to scavenge by keeping lids on trash cans, keeping outdoor eating areas free of food debris, and maintaining gardens, flowerbeds, and fruit trees.

• Repair leaky pipes and air conditioners that will provide a source of water for these pests to utilize.

• Make sure to use dehumidifiers in your home to reduce humidity levels.

• Maintain a crushed rock barrier between any damp mulch or soil and your foundation.

• Keep ants out of your home by sealing cracks in the foundation, installing door sweeps, and placing weatherstripping around windows and doors.