Odorous House Ants

Ants are some of the most successful insects on the planet, thriving in almost every environment except the polar regions. They have diverse lifestyles: some scavenge plants and animals, others farm fungus, tend aphids for honeydew, or prey on insects. In fact, there are even ants that enslave other ants! 

One of the most common species found in homes is the odorous house ant. The person who discovered them noted their distinctive smell when crushed, although not everyone can detect it. These ants can be found everywhere and often nest under objects on the soil. A colony of odorous house ants can include over 10,000 workers and 10 to 15 queens. They frequently establish new nests by splitting their colony and relocating several queens along with thousands of workers. 

As scavengers with a sweet tooth, odorous house ants typically forage within 10 to 20 feet of their nest. They will move when food resources run low. Like many ants, the workers (which are all female but infertile) communicate using chemicals called pheromones. The rear segment of an ant's body, known as the gaster, stores and digests food. Glands on the underside of the gaster release a pheromone that signals other ants to available food. Before feeding, the gaster is elevated off the ground, but after feeding, it drags on the ground, leaving a pheromone trail for others to follow. When food is depleted, late-arriving workers stop dragging their gasters, and the pheromones slowly evaporate. 

Although these ants are tiny (less than 1/8 inch), they can be challenging to control. Many people react by smashing them, which usually proves ineffective; within a few days, more ants start appearing. Cleaning may temporarily eliminate them, but they often reappear. 

At this point, many people resort to purchasing "Bug Death" spray, which can sometimes make the situation worse. If you’re fortunate, a knowledgeable salesperson may guide you to ant bait. Since colonies typically have several queens, they can replenish lost workers almost as quickly as you can kill them with sprays. In fact, most over-the-counter ant sprays are highly repellent; ants are sensitive to these chemicals and tend to avoid them. If you miss the nest with your spray, you might disrupt it, leading to the colony fragmenting into multiple nests, thereby spreading the ant control problem. 

Prevention is key in pest prevention. Here are some tips: 

- Avoid storing anything against the foundation. Keep pallets, firewood, lumber, pet food dishes, and trash cans away from the building or elevated on stands. 

- Use landscape fabric under landscaping instead of plastic, which can create ideal nesting grounds. 

- Refrain from planting roses or ivy close to the building, as these attract aphids that produce honeydew. 

- Keep plants away from walls and roofs to deter pathways onto your home. 

- Do not store empty beverage cans or bottles in your home, as the sugars inside are enticing. 

- Maintain distance between hummingbird feeders and the house. 

- Keep your home dry by utilizing exhaust fans when cooking or bathing to reduce condensation. 

- Remove foundation vent covers before April. 

Lastly, if you find odorous house ants inside and choose to handle the situation yourself, it’s important to never spray them directly.