Ants are an extremely common household pest. These six-legged invaders are seen in kitchens across the nation. But just because they’re common doesn’t mean you need to put up with them. Odorous house ants in particular can be an issue because of the smell that gave them their name. Thanks to Adams Exterminating, you don’t need to deal with odorous house ants any longer. We offer high-quality, professional pest control in Southlake, TX so that you can have a pest-free home.
How Can I Tell If It’s Odorous House Ants In My House?
Let’s be real here, most ants look pretty similar—at least the ones that might be in your house do. Odorous ants are really small, only 1/8” long. They can be dark brown or black. Like other insects, odorous house ants have six legs and antennae. But the most distinctive feature is also what gave them their name: their smell. When odorous house ants are crushed, they give off a smell that’s described as being like blue cheese or rotten coconuts.
Because of this, you probably don’t want to go around squishing every ant you see. And in cases of odorous house ant infestation, that probably isn’t the most efficient option.
Is It Dangerous To Have Ants In My House?
Unlike some other pests, odorous house ants don’t bite and don’t cause public health problems. But they do get into your food and can cause contamination that way. Likewise, the odor isn’t harmful, just annoying. But that doesn’t mean you want it lingering around your house!
Ant colonies themselves aren’t damaging either, but they can cause some problems in your home. Odorous house ants often have multiple, connected nests inside your home rather than just one “home base.” This makes it much more difficult for you to completely clear an infestation, and much easier for the ants to grow their colony. These ants tend to establish nests in voids, including inside the walls of your house.
What’s Attracting Ants Into My Home?
Ants come into homes looking for three things: food, water, and shelter.
Odorous house ants are especially fond of sugary foods, but they’ll eat other things, including pet food and other insects. If ants have easy access to food in your home, they’ll likely establish a nest nearby.
These ants prefer to live in moist areas, so they’re also to be found near plumbing or vents. Odorous house ants are able to relocate quickly if their nest is disturbed, so it’s important to completely eradicate an infestation. During mating season in the spring, you might come across odorous house ant swarms on your property or around your home. This is when new colonies are built.
How Can I Get Rid Of Odorous House Ants Permanently?
There are some steps you can take to slow down an odorous house ant infestation. Ant bait, whether store-bought or homemade, can lure ants away from their nest and kill them. Because odorous house ants have such a preference for sugar, you can use sweet foods as bait.
One important part of odorous house ant control and prevention is making your food inaccessible. Sealing everything away into airtight containers makes your food impossible for ants to get to.
The best way to get rid of odorous house ants is to call in a professional pest control company. That’s why Adams Exterminating offers ant pest control for your Southlake home. The key to ant control is understanding the infestation, which is why our treatment options aren’t one size fits all. We offer a variety of treatment plans and options so that your family gets the best solution possible. If you’re looking for odorous house ant control in Southlake, Texas, call Adams Exterminating today!