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odorous house ants looking for food

What are odorous house ants?

Odorous house ants, Tapinoma sessile, are a small species of ant; they are a common ant that invades homes and are considered to be scavengers.  They give off a “rotten coconut” smell when they are smashed or crushed; because of this they are also commonly called stink ants or coconut ants.

What do they look like?

Odorous house ants are brown to black in color and are about 1/16th - 1/8th of an inch in length.

Do odorous house ants bite?

No, they do not bite. 

Are odorous house ants dangerous?

Odorous house ants are not dangerous, but they can contaminate your food as they forage. They are considered to be nuisance pests.

What are the signs of an odorous house ant infestation?

If you have an odorous house ant infestation you will notice them in your home in large numbers, especially in the kitchen area; they love to feed on sugary foods like fruit.  You may also notice the odor that they give off when they are crushed.

Why do I have an odorous house ant problem?

Most ants enter homes while they are foraging for food and water. Odorous house ants will also enter homes if there has recently been a large amount of rain.

How do I get rid of odorous house ants?

It is very difficult to eliminate an ant problem. A successful ant control program requires that the source of the infestation be found and the entire colony eliminated, including the queen. This often requires professional assistance. If you have an ant control problem in Providence, Worcester, or elsewhere in New England, contact Big Blue Bug Solutions today.

Odorous house ant prevention tips

Fixing the areas around your home like cracks in foundations and gaps around windows and doors will help to prevent them from entering your home. Not leaving food out on your counter or dirty dishes in your sink will prevent them from having a food or water source. Signing up for year round home pest control services can also help you protect your home and prevent ants and other pests from taking over.

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