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Odorous House Ant Identification and Control in Utah
Correct identification is an important first step in pest control.
Tapinoma Sessile
Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002 – 2021. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License
Odorous house ants are dark brown to black in color. They are 1/8 of an inch long with the workers being of one size. They have one node (bump between middle and rear body sections), but it is difficult to see.
Odorous house ants get their name because the emit an odor similar to coconuts when disbursed or smashed. They also raise their abdomens in air and run around when disturbed.
Odorous house ants can build nests indoors and outdoors. If the nest is outside it will be a shallow nest in mulch next to building and in soil under protection. If the nest is inside it can be found in wall voids and under carpet, usually near water pipes or heaters.
Need help controlling ants?
Identify the pest with our Odorous House Ant gallery
Close up head of an odorous house ant.
Photo by Shannon Hartman / URL
Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002 – 2021. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License
Photo by Shannon Hartman / URL
Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002 – 2021. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License
Odorous House Ant drawing side view.
Drawn by Kevin Thorn
Drawn by Kevin Thorn
Odorous House Ant Dorsal View
Photo by Shannon Hartman / URL
Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002 – 2021. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License
Photo by Shannon Hartman / URL
Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002 – 2021. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License
Image Copyright © AntWeb 2002 – 2021. Licensing: Creative Commons Attribution License
Where do they live
Wood, board, stone, cardboard, rocks, bricks, loose bark, moisture, wall voids, beneath toilets, bathtraps, wood damaged by termites
Name:
Tapinoma sessile
Size:
2.4-3.3 mm
Diet:
Honeydew, sweets and insects
Tips for keeping odorous house ants away
How To Keep Ants Away
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Trim back any shrubs or trees that come into contact with buildings. When plants touch a home or building they create an easy way for ants to crawl onto and access the building.
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Seal all potential ant entryways. Common entry ways are around windows, doors, and utility lines.
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Keep dry pet food in sealed bins and clean up any spills.
How to Get Rid of Ants
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Try to locate and destroy all nests by following ant trails from food source to the nest.
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Use an insecticidal bait, especially during winter through early spring with populations are small.
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Controlling these ants is hard, so consider hiring a pest management professional to help.
Don't let ants take over.
Thorn can help.
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Pests can be difficult to control, but that’s what we are here for. We create a strategic plan to gain control of your problem and make sure we get results.
Thorn's Approach
We take a scientific approach to pest control. We start with an inspection and assessment to help us identify the pest, locate where they are, and create a specific plan for your property. Every home and business is different and requires a unique strategy.
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Proper pest management starts with a detailed inspection and assessment from an expert pest professional before treatment. Thorn Pest Solutions uses a three-step process rooted in science to eliminate pests with long-term results.
Assess Situation
First, we identify the root problem(s) with a site assessment. Pests are almost always an indicator of an environmental condition. This will determine the best actions to provide short and your long-term results against pests.
Execute Action Plan
Next, we develop a plan to fix the problems we discovered. This includes solving current pest issues, eliminating conducive conditions, and monitoring for future pest activity. Good pest management starts with a good plan.
Track Success
Lastly, we implement the solutions we developed including inspection, monitoring, and preventing future pest infestations. Good pest control requires a good offense and not just defense. Prevention is key.
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