These tiny ants are responsible for some of the most annoying and persistent pest infestations each summer. Philadelphia homes and businesses frequently become frustrated but resigned when these ant invasions are underway.
This is mainly because people try DIY pest control methods first. Ant killers are available at every home improvement store. Some of these can be somewhat effective at targeting individual ants, but species like the odorous house ant live in colonies that may have millions of members. A spray that can only target individual ants will never be able to cope with the situation.
Some people even decide that an odorous house ant infestation is simply a nuisance that they have to live with. However, they may not realize how common food poisoning is in homes with ant infestations. When ants are trailing filth across kitchen surfaces and contaminating food that is meant for people, then the problem is much more than a nuisance.
Comprehensive odorous ant control is possible through the services of a professional exterminator. By destroying the nest and the queen and eliminating access points that allow the ants to get indoors, a pest management professional can guarantee results.
WHAT DO ODOROUS ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Odorous ants are quite small, which makes it hard for most people to identify them from other species. This ant's most distinguishing characteristic is the smell of rotting coconuts that they give off when they are crushed. A noxious odor that many people find unpleasant, this smell is one of the main reasons why people refuse to live with an infestation of odorous house ants.
The most frequently seen members of the colony are the workers. Measuring approximately one-sixteenth to one-eighth of an inch, these brown or black individuals have beehive-shaped abdomens. Under microscopic inspection, odorous ants have smooth, hairless bodies and a single flat node connecting the abdomen and thorax. WHAT DO ODOROUS ANTS EAT?
Worker ants of this species must spend the majority of their time searching for the honeydew that aphids and mealybugs secrete. This is the colony's main source of sustenance, especially during the spring and summer. However, the populations of these other insects tend to decline toward the fall, and this may drive odorous ants indoors to search for food. Pet food, fruit, vegetables, juices, desserts, meat and dairy products are among the most commonly sought food items.
WHERE DO ODOROUS ANTS LIVE?
Sometimes referred to as opportunistic nesters, an odorous ant colony may be discovered living just about anywhere. Something as simple and seemingly benign as a bare patch of soil in the garden can look inviting to an odorous ant queen. Other likely outdoor nesting sites include hollow logs and mulch coverings. Nests have additionally been discovered beneath rocks or in piles of yard debris.
Odorous ants do look for some requirements when choosing a nesting location. If they are establishing an indoor nest, then the moisture levels in the area will have to be just right. A void found behind a wall or beneath a floor may be ideal, especially if there is a water leak or condensation problem in the area. Because of their requirement for moist conditions, indoor nests may be established close to a heater or water pipe. Moreover, these ants may use wood that was damaged by an earlier pest infestation as a nest.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ODOROUS ANTS
In general, odorous ants are not considered to be as destructive as other pest species. Still, because they have a tendency to nest in damaged or rotting wood, they can exacerbate these problems. When nests are located indoors, they frequently give off a strong, unpleasant odor that makes people want to have those nests removed as soon as possible.
ARE ODOROUS ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Odorous ants do bite people, but because of their small size these attacks are rare and generally not painful. Nonetheless, odorous ant colonies are aggressive when it comes to breeding. Until the queen is destroyed, she will continue to produce more and more workers, making these infestations particularly difficult to control.
DO ODOROUS ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Although odorous ants do not directly transmit diseases to people, they still can cause cases of food poisoning. In fact, food poisoning is a rampant problem in homes where any ants are living. Worker ants constantly forage for food, and they are not averse to obtaining meals in some decidedly unsavory places. After spending some time in an animal carcass or a dumpster, a worker ant may walk across someone's kitchen counter and right into a bag of rice. The kitchen counter and the rice are now contaminated. Without proper cleaning and disposal of the ruined food, the home's human occupants are extremely likely to get sick. HOW TO DETECT ODOROUS ANTS
Signs of an odorous ant infestation include:
• A noxious odor emanating from somewhere in the house • Discovering that a crushed ant stinks like rotting coconut • Lines of ants walking across any surface in the home • A hole or crack in the home's exterior that has many ants clustering around it HOW TO PREVENT ODOROUS ANTS
To help prevent an odorous ant issue the following steps should be taken:
• Immediately repair water leaks • Replace all wood that is damaged by pests or in water leaks • Ensure that all wood on the property is painted or stained • Use a garden hose to keep outdoor garbage cans clean • Identify and seal up any cracks, holes or gaps in the home's exterior • Keep yard debris and wood in piles at least 20 feet from any structure • Do not store food on the counter • Avoid putting dirty dishes in the sink, opting for the dishwasher instead • Use metal or glass containers for food storage • Make a habit of keeping kitchen surfaces clean HOW WE TREAT FOR ANTS
Ants are the number one pest control issue and can prove virtually impossible for home and business owners to solve on their own. Ending an ant infestation typically requires proper ant identification, locating and destroying the nest or colony, as well as the use and application of specialized products.
As such, it is not advisable for property owners to attempt to eradicate an ant infestation without assistance from a professional pest control provider.
