Odorous Ant Control

Many suburban Philadelphia-area homes and offices experience odorous ant infestations in spring, summer, and fall. These pests enter searching for food and may nest in floor or wall voids if conditions are suitable.

While odorous ants can bite, their real concern is contaminating food and surfaces. DIY treatments often worsen infestations by scattering worker ants to create new nests. Professional pest control services ensure effective, long-term removal.

What Do Odorous Ants Look Like?

Odorous ants emit a strong, unpleasant odor, similar to rotting coconuts, when crushed. They measure between one-sixteenth and one-eighth of an inch, range from dark brown to black, and have a distinctive beehive-shaped abdomen with a single flat node between the thorax and abdomen.

What Do Odorous Ants Eat?

These ants forage constantly, primarily collecting honeydew from aphids and mealybugs outdoors. When food sources dwindle in the fall, they move indoors, targeting sugary foods, dairy, meat, fruit juices, vegetables, and pet food.

Where Do Odorous Ants Live?

Outdoors, odorous ants nest in soil, mulch, hollow logs, and beneath debris. Indoors, they seek moisture-rich areas, often nesting in wall voids, near water pipes, heaters, behind paneling, or under carpets.

Are Odorous Ants Dangerous?

While they don’t cause structural damage, odorous ants can worsen existing pest issues. They rarely bite but live in massive colonies with thousands of workers, making infestations difficult to control without professional intervention.

Do Odorous Ants Carry Disease?

Although they don’t transmit diseases through bites, odorous ants contaminate food and surfaces. They travel through sewers, drains, and garbage, carrying bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses.

Signs of an Odorous Ant Infestation

Strong, rotting coconut-like odor indoors
Ant trails on kitchen surfaces
Ants entering through cracks or gaps in the home’s exterior

How to Prevent Odorous Ants

Store food in sealed glass or metal containers
Fix leaks and clean up spills immediately
Keep surfaces clean and vacuum regularly
Dispose of trash frequently and maintain clean garbage bins
Seal exterior cracks and gaps
Store firewood and yard debris away from the house
Replace damaged wood

How We Treat for Odorous Ants

Ant infestations require professional treatment to eliminate colonies effectively. Our expertly trained technicians identify the species, locate nests, and apply targeted solutions to ensure long-term control.

We proudly serve homeowners and businesses throughout Bucks County and Montgomery County, PA, as well as Mercer County and Hunterdon County, NJ. Our service areas include towns such as Princeton, Ewing Township, Lambertville, Doylestown, Newtown, and many more.

Schedule a FREE inspection today.

Get the Facts

Learn more about odorous house ants.

Ant Facts

Odorous House Ants

Courtesy: National Pest Management Association