Odorous House Ant

How to identify Odorous Ants

Odorous ants are very opportunistic; living in a variety of nesting sites, moving constantly to avoid poor weather conditions. Not only will you find huge supercolonies, but many satellite colonies located close to the main colony. The name is derived from the fact that when these ants are crushed or stepped on. They are also known as stink ants and coconut ants.

Odorous Ants Removal

Odorous ant control should begin with exclusion methods, such as caulking cracks near vents and sealing gaps around utilities. Crevices within walls are common problem areas, as well as underneath sinks and near bathtubs where moisture accumulates. Since the pests love crumbs and clutter, cleaning countertops and vacuuming daily can help limit their numbers. Though some homeowners turn to insecticide treatments to get rid of odorous ants, this can be ineffective. For stubborn infestations, turn to the pest professionals at Orkin Canada instead for expert solutions for your home or business.

How to prevent Odorous Ants from invading

Immediately clean up food debris and crumbs. Caulks cracks and seal gaps. Clean kitchen countertops regularly. Vacuum food storage areas daily. Fix dripping faucets and condensation. Move wood piles away from structuresl. Trim back overhanging trees and shrubs.

Habitat, Diet, and Life Cycle

Odorous ants are active year-round throughout Canada. They can be found around beaches, bogs, and swamps but are best known for invading homes. Minuscule cracks along foundations, around windows, and near utility lines are exploited by odorous ant infestations for entry. When indoors, they colonize areas around hot water pipes and heaters, attracted to the warmth and moisture. Outdoors, odorous ants build shallow nests by digging underground and piling dirt into mounds.

Workers will travel great distances while foraging for food. As odorous ants search for food indoors they can create trails along cupboards, sinks and appliances which can contaminate food. When they find sustenance indoors, the odorous ant leaves behind a scent trail, which brings additional pests to the area. Typical food sources include dairy products, vegetables, and fruits, though lunchmeats, sugary foods, and crumbs are also favourites.

These pests are quite resourceful, willing to pick things up and move their nest if conditions are unfavourable. With a healthy colony containing as many as 100,000 workers, you need to be sure you deal with the infestation properly the very first time. Otherwise you may find yourself with two or more colonies budding from the original.

Commonly Asked Questions

Why do I have odorous ants?

Odorous ants are found on beaches, bogs, and swamps, and build shallow nests outdoors by digging underground and piling dirt into mounds.

Seeking food and shelter, these pests enter homes through minuscule cracks along foundations, around windows, and near utility lines.

Once indoors, they like to build nests in crevices within walls, around hot water pipes and heaters, underneath sinks and near bathtubs, attracted to the warmth and moisture.

When it comes to food, odorous ants are foragers and are attracted to dairy products, vegetables, fruits, lunch meats, sugary foods, and crumbs.

How worried should I be about odorous ants?

Odorous ants can contaminate human and pet food with their excrement and their smell may become a source of discomfort. As well, the scent trails they create along cupboards, sinks and appliances can bring additional pests to the area.

They are not easily eradicated. A healthy colony can have up to 100,000 workers. A supercolony grows even bigger, with many satellite colonies located close to one main colony.

Odorous ants are able to reproduce multiple times throughout the year, which means infestations can quickly grow out of control. To truly prevent an infestation of odorous ants, professional pest control services are crucial.