Odorous House Ant Identification
Resources to help you identify odorous house ants found in Nebraska .
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Odorous House Ant Identification (One Node Ant)
Odorous House Ant (Tapinoma sessile)
Tapinoma sessile
Description of Workers: Small workers, around 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch (2-3 mm); dark brown to black. Bitter odor when crushed - said to smell like rotten coconuts.
Habits:
Most frequent structure invading ant in Nebraska; nests in a wide variety of places outdoors and inside. These ants commonly construct shallow nests in soil underneath objects, such as stones, patio blocks and debris. Inside, they prefer areas with moisture such as around hot water pipes and heaters. Odorous house ants have multiple queens. The ants forage when temperatures are cool, even down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Strongly trailing ant; it tends aphids for honeydew and prefers sweets in kitchens.
Management:
Management includes corrective conducive conditions; locating and treating colonies which may include drench treatments, dusts in wall voids or using baits; depending on the colony location.
The information on this Web site is valid for residents of southeastern Nebraska. It may or may not apply in your area. If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office
Credits:
- Ant illustrations were developed by Vicki Jedlicka, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Lancaster County
- Photo Courtesy of http://www.antweb.org. Photographer: April Nobile
For information on reproducing this resource or using any photographs or graphics, read the Terms of Use statement)
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