Picnics are usually cut short, and the annoyance levels rise when people find ants marching along to hijack any fallen crumbs. Ants are a common insect and one that few people have never seen, if anyone can make such claims. There are thousands of species found around the world. In Greater Lansing, MI, Carpenter ants and odorous ants are among the most common species, and today, we at Knock ‘Em Out Pest Control would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on the basics of odorous ants.
Why are Odorous Ants Called That?
As one of the smaller ant species, Odorous ants, or also sometimes known as Odorous House Ants, measure in at approximately 1/8-inch-long. Their petiole that is hidden by their abdomens, features one node. These ants are usually dark brown or black in color. People will also note that the odorous ant has unevenly shaped thorax if they get a look at them from the side. The primary reason they are known as odorous ants, which is their most distinct characteristic, is that when they are crushed, the odor of rotten coconuts emits.
Do Odorous House Ants Live in Walls?
Should odorous ants successfully get inside homes or business, they tend to nest in the floor or wall voids. They often wonder indoors in an effort to find food in Lansing, MI homes and businesses, especially meats and sweet varieties. Odorous ants commonly slip in large enough fractures along the windows and doors or through cracks in the foundation. Odorous ants are attracted to the kitchen pantries and cabinets because they prefer climates that are moist and warm. In addition to floor and wall voids, Odorous ants are often fond beneath carpets and flooring, inside wall crevices, closer to heaters and water pipes as well as behind paneling. When they are outside, odorous ants will construct nests under shallow soil beneath things like mulch, rocks, logs, and debris.
What Problems Do Odorous House Ants Cause?
Odorous ants are a more than nuisance, they contaminate any food they come into contact with and when they feel threatened, they will bite. These ants are one of the more resistant to eliminate and can be problematic when they intrude inside buildings.
How Do You Identify an Odorous Ant Infestation?
Obvious indications they are infesting your home or business is seeing the lines of marching ants scavenging for food as well as observing the active winged swarmers (future reproducers). Their diet includes pastries, cooked or raw vegetables and fruit juices, sugary foods, meats as well as dairy products when given the opportunity, otherwise they tend to eat honeydew from aphids and mealybugs. These ants remain active 24/7 and can be seen both day and night. Worker odorous ants will move in quick, erratic motions, raising their abdomens into the air when they are alarmed by predators or other potential threats.
Ant Pest Inspections, Prevention, Control & Removal in Lansing, Michigan
It is vital to contact Knock ‘Em Out Pest Control should you discover odorous ants infesting your Lansing, MI home or business, as they can be a challenge to eliminate on your own. We can ensure the colony is effectively eliminated using premium products and advanced methods. Call us today to remove any ant infestations or to help combat and prevent pest intrusions!
