Odorous House Ants

Tapinoma sessile

This ant gets its name from the strong, rotten coconut-like smell it gives off when crushed. These tiny insects range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to one-eighth of an inch long, and they can live for many years.

Color	Brown or black
Legs	6
Shape	Segmented; oval
Size	1/16-1/8
Antennae	True

Odorous House Ant Habits

Odorous house ants like to construct their nests in wall voids, especially around hot water pipes, heaters, crevices, and sinks. Outside they prefer to nest in exposed soil. These ants enjoy sweet things and mostly go inside when their honeydew supply is reduced due to heavy rain.

Do Odorous House Ants Bite?

Odorous house ants do not bite. Although house ants technically have mouthparts for the purpose of chewing food, they are typically too small to inflict any pain on humans. The only threat they pose to humans is their love for foods — thus posing a contamination risk.

Do Ants Have an Odor?

When these ants are crushed they emit a foul, rotting coconut odor.

Signs You Have an Odorous House Ant Infestation

The most likely way to spot an infestation is to see the ants walking around. In the summer months, odorous house ants swarm, and winged ants will appear around the nest. If you see these swarmers, there is most certainly an infestation.

How to Prevent an Infestation

Odorous House Ants are attracted to moisture. Be sure to eliminate any standing water in and around your home. Ants can also use tree branches near your roofline to get into your house, so trim trees and branches to make sure they are not touching your home. To prevent the creation of odorous house ant nests, store firewood, and other building materials as far away from your home as possible.

How to Get Rid of Odorous House Ants

To remove odorous house ants, baiting is preferred, since they like both sugar and protein-based baits. Insecticide sprays do not work on these ants, as they tend to split up colonies that will simply relocate.

If you have an odorous house ant infestation, Hughes can help. For a customized treatment plan, contact our team using the form below.