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There are some smells that carry better than others. The scent of freshly baked apple pie is strong enough to pull people from every corner of a house to the kitchen. When a skunk sprays on a property, neighbors from down the block have their noses assaulted. Some smells, like the smell of manure, travel for miles, in the right conditions. The question is, how bad do odorous house ants smell? To help you better understand these pests, here are a few things you should know, along with the key to keeping them out of your home.
Why Do Odorous House Ants Smell?
An odorous house ant doesn’t have a smell that it excretes from its body as a skunk does. The only time these small pests stink up a room is when they are crushed. Some liken this smell to that of rotten coconuts, however, research suggests it is more closely related to the scent of blue cheese.
One question we are asked frequently is whether odorous house ants can stink up a whole home. This really depends on your sense of smell. If you have a strong nose and squish these pests regularly, this lurking scent might be enough to bother your nostrils. If you have a weak sense of smell, the smell of these pests shouldn’t bother you.
Are Odorous House Ants Dangerous?
Odorous house ants, unlike other ants in our area, are not dangerous, they pose no serious risk to human health. They do, however, contaminate food and cause annoyance around the houses they invade.
Why Odorous House Ants Invade Homes
Most pests invade homes to find food, water, and shelter. Odorous house ants are no different. These small brown insects break into living areas to scavenge for food and find sources of water. When weather is unfavorable outside, odorous house ants will invade wall voids and other less accessible areas around homes and build their nests in these locations. As a general rule, dirtier and more cluttered homes are more likely to attract these invasive pests. For this reason, we recommend cleaning your home regularly and reducing clutter where you can.
A Simple Trick To Keeping Odorous House Ants Out
Apart from keeping your home clean, there is one other strategy you should be using to exclude odorous house ants from your living areas. It involves making sure your home’s exterior is properly sealed. To do this, here are some simple steps to follow.
- Identify and fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation and around window/door frames.
- Repair damage to window/door screens.
- Keep unscreened windows and doors closed as much as possible.
- Install door sweeps beneath exterior doors.
- Address other damage to your home’s exterior that might allow ants a way inside.
- Reinstall and or repair weatherstripping around your home’s exterior that is damaged or installed improperly.
How Professional Pest Control Helps Deter Ants
Handling ants without professional help is a lot like duct taping holes in a boat. It will help for a while but it will require constant effort and doesn’t promise you won’t sink. To make sure your home gets and stays free of odorous house ants, your best bet is to get the experts at Alta Pest Control involved. With a commitment to our customers and access to industrial-grade pest control products, our team will make sure your home gets the protection it needs to deter pests year-round.
Call out to our team today by phone or through our website to learn more about our affordable and effective pest control options or to schedule your home for a service visit.
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