Odorous House Ants in Georgia
Odorous house ants (Tapinoma sessile) are the culprits behind most ant infestations in homes. These ants are one of the more common ant species found in Georgia, and their colonies can grow to be quite large and new colonies are formed easily. Odorous ant colonies contain two or more queens and more than 100,000 workers.
Known as sugar ants, stink ants or coconut ants, odorous house ants emit a foul smell when crushed, these ants can quickly become a nuisance if not addressed. Understanding what they look like and recognizing the signs of an infestation can help you take the necessary steps to control them.
What Do Odorous House Ants Look Like?
Odorous house ants are small, measuring about 1/16 to 1/8 inch in length. They have a smooth, dark brown to black body with a single node connecting their thorax and abdomen, which is often hard to spot. These ants are distinct for their unevenly shaped thorax, visible when viewed from the side. The most notable characteristic, however, is the unpleasant odor they emit when crushed.
Signs of an Odorous House Ant Infestation
Spotting a few of these pests indoors may not seem alarming at first, but it could be a sign of a larger infestation. Look for these common indicators:
- Trails of ants: Odorous house ants form trails along walls, floors, or countertops, often leading to food or water sources.
- Nesting sites: Outdoors, they nest in soil under rocks, logs, or mulch. Indoors, they may build nests inside walls, under flooring, or near heat sources.
- Strong smell: If you crush one of these ants, the distinct rotten coconut odor is a telltale sign that it’s an odorous house ant.
Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors
Where Do Odorous House Ants Live?
Odorous house ants are highly adaptable when it comes to their living spaces. Kitchen pantries and cupboards are often the preferred locations for these ants as they like to forage for food night and day.
Outdoors, odorous house ants are often found in exposed soil or under stacks of firewood. They most often make their way inside looking for food, which is why they are typically found in kitchens. When they nest, odorous house ants prefer areas with moisture—wall voids near water pipes, heaters, leaking fixtures, and damaged wood are all ideal habitats for them.
Diet
Odorous house ants are opportunistic feeders and prefer food rich in sugars and proteins. Their diet primarily consists of sugary substances like honeydew, a secretion from aphids and other plant-sucking insects. They are also drawn to household food sources, including sweets, fruits, and greasy or protein-rich items. When foraging, these ants leave behind chemical trails to guide others to food sources.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of odorous house ants consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Queens are responsible for laying eggs, which hatch into larvae within a few days. The larvae are cared for by worker ants until they pupate and eventually emerge as adults. A single colony can have multiple queens, enabling rapid population growth and the formation of satellite colonies.
Behaviors
Odorous house ants are social insects that exhibit remarkable teamwork. They communicate through chemical signals to coordinate foraging and nest relocation. When disturbed, these ants can scatter quickly, making them difficult to track. Their primary defense mechanism is their speed and their ability to emit a strong, unpleasant odor when crushed, deterring predators.
Are Odorous House Ants Dangerous?
Odorous house ants are not directly dangerous to humans or pets, as they do not sting and are not known to transmit diseases. However, their presence can still pose a nuisance. These ants can contaminate food supplies by crawling through unsanitary areas before invading your kitchen or pantry. In some cases, large colonies may cause structural issues by nesting inside walls or under flooring.
How To Get Rid of Odorous House Ants?
Odorous house ant colonies can grow to have thousands of members, which makes complete elimination so difficult. Like many species of ants, there are worker ants and scout ants who seek out food away from the nest to provide for the queen. Scout ants leave an invisible scent trail back to their colony for other ants to find food sources, which is why these ants can spread so quickly.
If you notice one or two ants in your home, try placing sweet or protein-based ant baits along their trails. Foraging ants will carry the bait back to the colony, helping to eliminate it at its source. However, getting rid of a full-blown odorous house ant infestation will be difficult to do alone. If you suspect that you may have an infestation, it is best to consult a professional ant exterminator for thorough and efficient elimination.
Odorous House Ant Prevention Tips
Preventing odorous house ants from invading your space involves maintaining a clean and secure environment. Here are some ways to keep these pests out of your home:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal cracks, gaps, and openings around doors, windows, and foundations to block their access.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Keep your kitchen clean by wiping up crumbs and spills, and store food properly.
- Reduce Moisture: Repair leaks and ensure proper drainage around your property to minimize the moisture that attracts ants.
- Trim Vegetation: Keep shrubs and tree branches trimmed back from your home to reduce their pathways indoors.
- Inspect Regularly: Periodically check for signs of ant activity and address any issues promptly.
By staying proactive, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of odorous house ant infestations.
Do You Have an Ant Infestation Problem? We Can Help.
Don’t let ants disrupt your home or business. Dealing with odorous ants – and other ant species like pavement ants, trap-jaw ants, and carpenter ants – can be challenging. At Active Pest Control, we specialize in effective ant control solutions tailored to your needs.
Our team of experts identify the source of your infestation, eliminate the ants, and implement long-term prevention strategies to keep them from returning.
FAQs
Do odorous house ants bite?
No, these ants do not bite humans or animals. They are non-aggressive insects and rely on their strong, rotten coconut-like odor as their primary defense mechanism.
Are odorous house ants poisonous?
No, these ants are not poisonous and do not pose a direct health threat to humans or pets. However, they can contaminate food sources while invading kitchens or pantries.
Do odorous house ants have wings?
Most odorous house ants do not have wings, but reproductive members of the colony, known as swarmers, develop wings during the mating season. These winged ants leave the colony to establish new nests. If you see winged ants indoors, it may indicate a mature colony nearby that requires attention.
What do odorous house ants smell like?
Odorous house ants emit a strong, distinctive odor when crushed, often described as resembling rotten coconut. This smell is caused by a chemical the ants release as a defensive mechanism.
The odor serves as a helpful identifying characteristic for distinguishing these ants from other household pests.
