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Nothing quite compares to the tenacity and dedication of a colony of ants. Even though an ant infestation is incredibly infuriating to deal with, you have to admit that their work ethic is truly admirable. Ranging from hundreds of ants, and even into hundreds of thousands, a well-established colony can create quite a panic, and odorous house ants are some of the most common ants to find in a West Palm Beach household.
The Not-So-Sweet Deets On Odorous House Ants
Compared to other ant species, odorous house ants range on the smaller side of the size scale. They measure in at roughly two to three millimeters in length, and they look dark brown to black in color. One of the most distinctive traits an odorous house ant possesses is the foul odor they emit when crushed, as many describe it as a rotten coconut smell. More established colonies contain multiple queens, which could mean the difference between a colony populace of hundreds, or a populace of tens of thousands.
They'll forage day and night in search of food, so catching them in the act of raiding your wares is no difficult task. When threatened, they scramble around erratically to escape danger, but when left undisturbed they form neat lines to collect their discovered morsels. They aren't a dangerous pest to have in your home, as far as structural damage or health problems are concerned, but their presence could cause problems for your pantry. They'll contaminate any consumable supplies they find, and while that wouldn't exactly put a strain on your bank account, having to constantly replace wasted food items gets annoying.
Why Have Odorous House Ants Invaded My West Palm Beach Home?
Like most ants, odorous house ants are attracted to the delightful smell of stray crumbs and sugary spills left around the home, but there are plenty of reasons a colony might find your home suitable to inhabit:
- Leaky pipes and excess moisture in and around your home
- Cracks in the foundation and paneling leading indoors
- Stray food and opened containers left around the home
- Drier conditions to escape the rainy season
- Wood and mulch piles left near the exterior of the home
Odorous house ants aren't picky by any sense of the word. They'll live in wet and dry conditions, although they will seek drier and warmer conditions when the weather gets cold and rainy. Their eating habits are eclectic, as they will happily feast on insects, seeds and grains, greasy foods, sweets, pastries, meats, dairy products, cooked and raw vegetables, fruits, and pretty much any food substance they can find.
How To Keep Odorous House Ants Out Of My West Palm Beach Home
There is an abundance of preventative measures you can take to keep your home free of pests, including odorous house ants, from expeditious cleaning habits to routine home maintenance:
- Keeping floors and countertops cleaned and free of food particles
- Adding dehumidifiers to rooms more susceptible to excessive moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms
- Repairing any cracks in the foundation of your home
- Insulating windows and outside-leading doors that have worn away over time
- Repairing any broken and leaky pipes that have created water damage
- Keeping wood, mulch piles, and lawn trimmings well away from the foundation of your home
- Trimming shrubs, bushes, and branches that may be touching the paneling
What To Do In The Event Of An Odorous Ant Infestation
Trying to get rid of an ant infestation on your own isn't just troublesome, it could also lead to more problems than you might be aware of. For one, store-bought pesticides can be toxic and harmful to humans and pets. Another unfortunate side-effect to DIY ant extermination measures is, in the event of a botched attempt, it could scare the colony into branching out and creating even bigger and more menacing ant colonies within your home. Don't create a bigger problem for yourself; let the professionals handle it for you.
At Empire Pest Control, we know what it takes to get rid of an ant invasion. Our pest control experts use modern, eco-friendly pest control products that are safe for the entire household, and we are dedicated to making sure you're 100% satisfied with our services. If you discover that your West Palm Beach home is still struggling with an infestation after we've treated it, we come right back out and re-treat your home absolutely free of charge. Your satisfaction is what's most important to us, so get in contact with us today. We're looking forward to working with you.