There are a myriad of insects and creatures walking the earth; each with numerous subspecies. It’s a common belief that there are no significant differences between the individual classes. This is an incorrect notion. While one critter may eat plants and prefer warmer temperatures, another might chomp on other bugs and need cooler weather to survive. They can have all kinds of dissimilar features and traits, including all-important risk factors.
The variation among ants is a great example. Some ruined belongings or buildings. Others can bite or sting you, and send you to the hospital. Odorous house ants are pretty prevalent in Dallas. As stated, they aren’t identical to all their relatives. It’s necessary to learn about their appearance, behavioral patterns, and threats. That way, you can protect your home accordingly with All-Safe Pest & Termite.
What Do Odorous House Ants Look Like? What Are The Dangers?
Odorous house ants are very tiny, 0.12 of an inch long. Their black or brown bodies have a thorax that’s an irregular shape. As their name will tell you, they are frequent invaders of homes. Should they remain outside, you’ll find them nesting under dismounted trees and piles of wood. They’ll also lie beneath rocks, planters, and landscaping ties. Keep an eye on your mulch, because they’ll be in that too. When in need of food, moisture, and warmth, they’ll head indoors. Holes around foundations are typical entry points for them. Then, they’ll settle on the following:
- Paneling
- Structural crevices
- Floor voids
- Water damaged wood
- Sinks
- Piping
- Heating or air conditioning units
- Carpeting
One reason odorous house ants are such a pain for homeowners is that they travel in large groups and trails. This makes them difficult to manage and get rid of. Seeing their hordes is an obvious sign of infestation, as well as spotting their workers and winged swarmers. If you go to crush them with your shoe, expect your nose to be offended. They smell like sour coconut when smashed. Other than that, the greatest harm these ants do is spread bacteria.
No matter the species, all ants are covered in germs by nature. More microbes stick to them when they dig through trash, dirt, plumbing, and other unsanitary environments. If they crawl on surfaces or in food, there’s a strong chance they will contaminate it. As a result, you or your loved ones could contract illnesses, like staph and salmonella Stay safe and call the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite for an inspection.
How Can Odorous House Ants Be Prevented?
To keep odorous house ants out of your spot, you’ll have to be conscientious about property maintenance. This includes having thorough cleaning practices, sprucing up your lawn, and scoping out your abode externally and you should also:
- Close-up cracks in foundations, screens, windows, doors, and utility lines
- Attach sweeps to all doors that face the outside
- Regularly cut your grass and trim your greenery
- Place plants and flowers two feet away from your property
- Don’t let food spills and crumbs sit
- Use canisters with form-fitting lids to store pet meals, food, and garbage
- Make sure your kitchen and pantries stay neat
- Remove trash and vacuum on a routine basis
- Have leaks and moisture faults repaired
- Use a dehumidifier, and ventilating fans in bathrooms and kitchens
What Can All-Safe Pest & Termite Do About Odorous House Ants?
At All-Safe Pest & Termite, we are known for our fast response times, skilled technicians, potent solutions, and reasonable pricing. These are just some of the elements that have kept us solid in business for over 30 years. We look forward to serving you and pushing odorous house ants out of your home. Our treatments are rapid-acting and effective, but also safe. Call us today!