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Odorous House Ant
Characteristics –
Size: About 1/8-inch long.
Color: Brown. If crushed, the workers give off a rotten coconut odor,
giving them their unusual name.
Behavior – Odorous house ants may develop huge colonies containing
thousands of workers and numerous queens. This species may be difficult to
control and does not feed much on ant baits. The keys to control are to
find the colonies and subcolonies and treat them directly. Regular
inspections and service are necessary to find and treat new colonies as
they move in from neighboring properties.
Habitat – This species is common in California north to Washington
and is the most common pest ant in the mid-south region of Arkansas and
West Tennessee. They may be encountered occasionally throughout the
Midwestern United States. These ants nest outdoors under items on the
ground, within landscape mulch, beneath loose bark on trees, under ground
cover, in potted plants, and within piles of items, such as lumber,
firewood, or bricks. Nests may readily be established inside homes, in
walls, beneath carpeting, and other suitable voids or spaces.
Tips for Control – This ant can be difficult to control because it
establishes multiple subcolonies and may nest in such a wide variety of
sites. The keys to control are to find the colonies and subcolonies and
treat them directly with residual insecticide. Where the colonies cannot
be found, baits may be attempted; however, several baits may be required
before positive results are seen. Regular inspections and treatment are
necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring
properties.
Suggested Control Products
Advance
Formula #1 Ant Bait
Niban Granular Bait
Drax Ant Gel
Delta Dust
Demand CS
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