Ants seem to be the pests that people pay the least amount of attention too. They are tiny, they seem harmless, and they don’t typically sting, so what is there to worry about? Unfortunately, that attitude can leave Moline, IL homeowners unprotected and at risk of being invaded by ants. Odorous house ants are particularly troublesome when they infest homes because they can trigger allergies and contaminate our food sources.
How to Spot an Odorous House Ant
Before you can begin to worry about the types of problems that odorous house ants cause when they invade, you first need to be able to identify them. Odorous house ants are very small, much like pavement ants, are dark brown or black in color, and reach a maximum of only about ⅛ of an inch in size. There are two characteristics that distinguish these ants from other ants. The first is that they are active both day and night in a constant search for food and the second is that they emit a distinctive, unpleasant odor, hence their name.
How Odorous House Ants Get Inside
Take a minute to think about how small an odorous house ant is. Their size makes it incredibly easy to get inside your home. In fact, they can walk right under the door, through a tiny tear in a window screen, or through any cracks in your siding or foundation. They can also hitch a ride in your picnic blanket, on your shoes, or in your kid’s toys!
Warning Signs of Odorous House Ants in Your Home
The most glaring sign of an odorous house ant infestation in your home is actually seeing these pests scurrying around. You may also smell their distinct rotten coconut-like odor. Additionally, you might find dead ants or little trails of food crumbs, indicating that there are live ants nearby.
Harm from Odorous House Ants
Though they are primarily nuisance pests, odorous house ants are also known to cause some harm when they invade our homes. Some people can have allergic reactions due to the presence of these ants. Additionally, since these ants are always looking for a food source, they may get inside your pantry and spoil your food causing a great deal of waste. The presence of odorous house ants inside your home can also indicate that you have other related pests living inside your home as well. Many pests are codependent on one another, so seeing pests inside your home is never a good sign!
Preventing Odorous House Ants
The most effective way to eliminate these nuisance pests from your home is to contact the professionals at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators. One of our expert technicians will come to your property and provide an assessment and evaluation of your ant problem and then provide the treatment needed to ensure that your odorous house ant problem is eliminated. Contact us at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators for more information about our residential pest control options in Moline, IL.