Pest Information
Odorous House Ants
Tapinoma sessile
Description
Color: Brown or black
Legs: Six
Shape: Segmented; oval
Size: 1/16-1/8
Antennae: Yes
Flight: No
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.
Habits
Odorous house ants like to eat sweets, especially melon.
Habitat
Typically living for several years, these ants make their homes in exposed
soil and wall cracks.
Threats
These ants do not pose a public health risk, but they can contaminate food
and should be avoided.
Odorous House Ants can be found in AR, CA, KY, MS, NJ, OR, TN, VA, WA
Prevention
Eliminate standing water. Pests such as odorous house ants are attracted
to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house.
Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that
there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house.
Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood
and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build
nests in stacks of wood.
