What to Do About Odorous House Ants In My Las Vegas, NV Home

Uh-oh. Smells like you forgot to take out the trash. But wait, could that funky odor be coming from the ants in your home? Odorous house ants are pests that live up to their name. They can cause a multitude of problems around the house, not to mention being surprisingly stinky. Here’s what to do about odorous house ants in your Las Vegas home, how to prevent them and how pest control in Las Vegas can help!

What Are Odorous House Ants?

Odorous house ants take their name from the peculiar smell they emit when crushed. The trademark odor is typically compared to rotten coconut or blue cheese. At a glance, odorous house ants look like any other ant species to infest your home. They are black or dark brown in color and measure just 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch long. But once these pests are squished, that strong odor makes it clear that they aren’t another ordinary ant.

Although they are called “house ants,” these insects are known to build nests both outdoors and indoors. Nests are often headed by multiple queens and can have thousands of members. Odorous house ants may also use a process called “budding” to split their colony into smaller satellite colonies, each with its own queen. This budding behavior allows odorous house ants to establish large territories.

Odorous house ants often target sugary foods in the home but will go after just about anything edible, from plants to proteins. Their favorite food source is the sweet honeydew produced by aphids. But as honeydew becomes less available, they will move indoors in search of other dining options.

Are Odorous House Ants Dangerous?

Odorous house ants are no more dangerous than any other type of ant to infest your home. They aren’t known to sting and won’t deliberately attack people. If anything, they are more of a nuisance than a threat. However, like all ants, they can contaminate food and surfaces in your home.

It’s possible that odorous house ants can spread harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. And if they manage to get into your pantry, they can leave behind body parts and droppings in your packaged food. Not to mention that foul smell. The potent stink that these ants release is strong enough to discourage you from crushing them.

How To Prevent Odorous House Ants

Odorous house ants can be incredibly frustrating to deal with. Even if you manage to kill off some of the ants with store-bought baits and traps, they will still continue to reproduce thanks to their multiple queens. Proper ant prevention will save you from the stress of dealing with odorous house ants.

Some simple ways to stop odorous house ants from getting into your Las Vegas home include:

• Sealing entrances – Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks or openings around doors, windows, pipes, and the foundation. Fill with silicone caulk as needed. Check for tears in screens and patch or replace if necessary. Replace damaged door sweeps and weather stripping.
• Cleaning up – Clean any spills and food messes in your home promptly. Regularly mop, sweep, and vacuum floors to eliminate food debris.
• Switching containers – Try storing your pantry foods in sturdy containers with locking lids. Metal or glass containers offer the best protection, but sturdy plastic will work against most insects.
• Addressing moisture issues – Drain any standing water in pet dishes, flower pots, or other vessels that could attract ants. Fix leaking pipes and remove any blockages from drains and gutters.

If you’re having trouble with odorous house ants in your Las Vegas home, contact Pest Control Solutions Inc. for home pest control help with our effective ant control solutions.