Odorous house ant

The pungent  odor similar to rotten coconut given off when this ant is crushed gives it its name.

Identification

The odorous house ant is typically 2 to 3 mm long, brownish-black in color.

Common locations

This ant can be found under rocks, boards and other debris, and in floor and wall voids. These ants will move indoors during rains and in the fall almost anywhere inside the house.

Diet

Prefer sweets but also eat foods with high protein content and grease such as meats and cheese. Workers feed on insects, seek honeydew and plant secretions, and even feed on seeds.

Additional Info

When workers are alarmed, they run around in an erratic manner with their abdomens raised up. They can develop huge colonies containing thousands of workers and numerous queens.