Odorous House Ants
Tapinoma sessile
A common household pest occurring naturally throughout most of the United States, the Odorous House Ant is small (1/12-1/8 inch) and brownish black in color. Workers are monomorphic (all the same size) and give off an unpleasant pungent odor when crushed. These ants are extremely adaptable, able to establish colonies in almost any environment outside and virtually anywhere inside the home. Colonies range from several hundred to 100,000 individuals with multiple queens per colony.
Odorous house ants are one of the most common household pests, particularly during rainy weather when their natural food source, honeydew, is washed from trees. They will feed on a variety of foods but are particularly attracted to sweets. Foraging ants can number in the hundreds, becoming major pests. Because of their ability to nest anywhere, their large colonies and multiple queens, control can be difficult.
