Odorous House Ants: What You Need to Know

Need to get rid of odorous house ants? Read on to learn the answers to all of your important questions. Need help? Call our professionals today to get started.

Odorous House Ants In The Home

No one wants to find an odorous house ant in their home, for they can develop huge colonies with multiple odorous house ant queens. The species does not feed much on ant baits, either. The best method for keeping these ants under control is finding the colonies and treating them directly. 

Regular inspections and service from pest control experts are necessary to find and treat odorous house ant colonies as they invade from other properties.

Odorous House Ant Facts

The species Tapinoma Sessile – otherwise known as the stink ant, the odorous house ant, sugar ant or coconut ant – are typically brown or black. The pests tend to be one-eighth to one-sixteenth of an inch long. The species is most problematic in Arkansas and West Tennessee and is prevalent from California north to Washington. They feed primarily on honeydew.

During mating seasons, odorous house ants with wings can develop in order to spread the species, creating new colonies. 

Odorous House Ant Tips

You are more likely to have a problem with odorous house ants in winter and early spring. The ants typically invade buildings during those seasons, particularly after rain.

To prevent problems with odorous house ants, try these methods:

• Eliminate standing water from around your house, for they are attracted to moisture.
• Trim plants away from your home to prevent access.
• Cracks, holes and joints in the house should be sealed.
• Eliminate piles of wood, bricks or debris where colonies can grow.
• Make sure the sprinkler system does not spray the home foundation.

Should I Contact A Pest Control Specialist For Stink Ants?

The proper and complete removal of odorous house ants can be hard to do on your own. If discovered early, they are vulnerable to most ant killers, though the species does not eat much ant bait. Ant killers can be an effective treatment, provided the infestation is not widespread.

If the infestation has lingered and grown, there may be thousands of worker ants and many odorous house ant queens that need to be destroyed. This may require weeks of maintenance and visits from exterminators until the colonies are removed.

Need help getting rid of odorous house ants in your home?

Call Pest Control Experts today to get a free odorous house ant extermination quote and to schedule your home pest inspection as soon as possible!