Odorous House Ants in Idaho: What You Need to Know

What Are Odorous House Ants?

The odorous house ant is a common household invading species of ant that lives throughout the Boise area. They are not destructive like the large carpenter ant, but they invade properties in large numbers and are difficult to control. 

Odorous house ants are small, dark brown ants. Adult workers grow to about 1/8th of an inch in length. Not having any real distinct physical features, the odorous house ant is usually identified by the unpleasant odor they emit when crushed. The rotten-coconut smell odorous house ants emit quickly wears out their welcome when living in or around your home.

Are odorous house ants dangerous?

No, the smell odorous house ants emit does not pose any danger to people, but it is unpleasant to smell in or around your home. Odorous house ants invade in large numbers. Having to tiptoe around foraging trails of ants to not crush them and release their odor is something that no one wants to contend with daily.

As with most nuisance species of ants, the biggest concern when it comes to odorous house ants is their ability to contaminate food and spread bacteria to food preparation areas and other surfaces of a home.

Why do I have an odorous house ant problem?

Ants are social creatures and are very organized. Once they set their sights on a property, it is difficult to get rid of them.

Yards that offer ants with easy access to food is what foraging worker ants are looking for. Open containers of trash, compost, pet food, and outdoor eating areas attract ants and many other pests. Even a few crumbs left out will invite ants in.

These ants are also attracted to areas of moisture. Things like leaky pipes, poor drainage, and water-damaged wood pieces also lead to odorous house ants problems.

Why do odorous house ants keep coming back to my house?

Ants are very intelligent and social insects. If you treat your own house with a quick fix, store bought product, you might be making the problem worse. 

Ants can quickly tell when something is wrong, and they will notify the other ants in the colony of the incoming danger. Most often, the colony will split in two in order to protect some of the colony from the threat, which makes the ant infestation harder to control. Splitting a colony is one way that odorous house ants survive and keep coming back to your house. 

The pest experts at Averse Pest Control know just what products to use in order to get rid of the ants for good. Giving us a call is the best way to keep odorous house ants away from your home.

Where will I find odorous house ants?

Odorous house ants prefer to nest near areas of moisture. You will most commonly find odorous house ants in bathrooms and kitchens because of all the moisture and food in these areas. Keeping these areas picked up and clean will make your house more uninviting for the ants. 

Outside odorous house ants nest under:

• Stones
• Landscaping timber
• Planters
• Mulch
• Fallen trees
• Woodpiles

Inside odorous house ants nest near:

• Wall voids
• Heaters or air-conditioning units
• Leaky pipes
• Sink and kitchen areas
• Water damaged pieces of wood

How do I get rid of odorous house ants?

As their name suggests, odorous house ants don't mind living near or in our homes. To rid these tenacious pests from your property, trust the local experts at Averse Pest Control. We are the best choice when it comes to eliminating odorous house ants from your Boise home.

We offer fast response times, top-quality pest control services, and the latest and most effective products to eliminate odorous house ants and other pests from the Boise area’s residential and commercial properties. Give us a call today to learn more about our ant control solutions!

How can I prevent odorous house ants in the future?

Prevent problems with odorous house ants by partnering with Averse Pest Control and by implementing the following prevention tips:

• Seal any holes, cracks, or other openings in your house. Odorous house ants are tiny and can sneak through any crack or crevice, no matter how small, in the exterior or foundation walls of your home. 
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Reduce excess moisture and humidity levels in and around your home. Repair leaky pipes, use dehumidifiers, and ventilating fans in kitchen and bathroom areas.
• Keep food out of the reach of ants by storing dry or baked goods in containers with air-tight lids. Store fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator.
• Odorous house ants love to nibble on leftover pet food. Pick up any pet food not eaten during the day each evening. Elevating your pet food bowls off the ground can also help keep the ants away.
• Regularly vacuum your home’s floors, not forgetting areas under furniture and appliances where crumbs gather out of sight.