If the presence of odorous ants is detected early enough, there may be time to prevent the problem from escalating into something worse. However, if the situation is not handled right away, then the infestation could become extensive.
Some people will commit themselves to spraying insects in the house for an incredibly long time. They believe that if they can just keep on spraying the insects, the infestation will eventually stop. However, this is not the situation. Odorous ants live in large groups called nests. Each group contains hundreds or even thousand of individuals. Also, the queen ant does not leave her nest. She merely remains inside and continues to reproduce.
The trouble with ant sprays is they only deal with symptoms rather than the underlying cause. You can kill off the queen, but that usually will not solve the problem. To get rid of the whole colony, you have to find out where they are coming in and seal them off. But how do you know where they are entering? And once you have found the location, what do you do about it?
If you want to get rid of ants, you need to hire an expert who knows how to deal with them. They will be able to eliminate the queen and seal up any entryways so they can't come back.
WHAT DO ODOROUS ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Workers of the odorous ant colonies are often mistaken for the much larger Argentine ants. They are about one-sixteenth to one-eighth inches long and can be found throughout North America. Their odor is reminiscent of rotten coconuts and they give off a strong stench when crushed. They are not aggressive and do not sting unless provoked.
When seen under magnification, ants with hairy bodies and round nodes connecting their thoraces and abdomens will appear.
WHAT DO ODOROUS ANTS EAT?
Odorous ants depend upon a sugary secretion called honeydew for almost all of their nutrition. Honey dew is produced by certain types of insect including aphid and mealybug. During spring and early summers, large numbers of these pests can be found feeding on plants. Their presence causes an unpleasant odor that attracts ants who then feed off the honeydew. In the fall, fewer bugs mean fewer ants, and thus less honeydew for the ants.
WHERE DO ODOROUS ANTS LIVE?
Unlike other insects that might adhere to strict nesting habitats; odorous ants are more casual about where they build their nests. Accordingly, odorous ants’ nests are just as likely indoor as outside. Soil that is loose and easy-to-excavate offers an obvious nesting site, but the genus also will seek out mulch, hollow logs, or piles of stones. A nest under a yard waste pile, woodpiles, or stacks of rock is just as likely.
In general, odious ants seek out certain qualities in their chosen breeding grounds. These characteristics consist of an appropriate amount of humidity. This suggests that indoor nests could possibly be found in areas that have a water leak, or perhaps have condensate problems. Some of the most frequent indoor locations to discover an odious ant den are those that are near to water pipes or a heating unit. If your house has any damaged timber, whether the harm was brought about by the environment or a previous pest invasion, then this might develop into a dwelling for a community of odious ants.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY ANTS
Some pest insects, like termites, tend to be destructive no matter where they live, but this is not true for every type of insect. However, this particular ant tends to establish nests in rotten or damaged buildings, so if a structure has any unpainted or neglectful spots, then these pests could worsen the situation by setting up a colony there.
It is also important to note that odorous ant nests emit a strong, unpleasant smell that bothers most people.
ARE ODOROUS ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Tiny ant bites are not usually painful to people. However, if there are too many of them in one place, they may be considered dangerous. There are several reasons why they might appear aggressive to some people. First, their numbers can increase rapidly due to a lack of natural enemies. Second, because they are small, they tend to hide when threatened. And third, they do not always attack people who come near them. Instead, they often run away from people.
DO ODOROUS ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
Some insects carry diseases to humans through bites or scratches, but the odorous ants do not cause illness. Instead, they make us ill by depositing dangerous germs on household objects such as food, dishes, serving implements, and other items throughout the home. Most of these items are located in the kitchen, where food is stored and cooked. Odorous ants may also contaminate food, dishes, serving tools, and other items within the kitchen. Unless the infected food is discarded and all household items are cleaned thoroughly, the residents of the home are always at threat of foodborne disease.
HOW TO DETECT ODOROUS ANTS
Signs of an odorous ant issue may include:
• Ants crushed underfoot give off an odor of rotting coconuts. • Noxious odors from walls or other areas in the house • Ants gathering around a hole or cracks in the home's exterior
HOW TO PREVENT ODOROUS ANTS
To help prevent an odorous ant infestation, the following steps should be taken:
• Cut back overgrown grass • Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from any buildings • Repair any water leaks as soon as they are discovered • Replace damaged wood on the home • Treat all wood on your property • Wash garbage cans using a garden hose • Block external entry points into the house • Keep food out of sight • Keep the surface of your stove and countertops clean • Put dirty dishes right into the dishwasher
HOW TO TREAT FOR ODOROUS 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.
