Odorous House Ant

Natural Habitat

Odorous house ants are commonly found in a variety of habitats, including indoors in kitchens and bathrooms, and outdoors in soil, under rocks, and in wood piles.

Diet & Feeding

Odorous house ants are omnivorous and feed on a variety of foods including sweets, such as sugar, fruit juice, and pastries, pet food, and other insects.

Behavior Patterns

Odorous house ants are known for their strong trails, often following established paths to and from food sources. They are active foragers and can quickly infest areas with accessible food. They are non-aggressive towards humans and other animals, but will defend their nests fiercely from other ant species. Colonies can be quite large, with multiple queens and thousands of workers. They can establish nests both indoors and outdoors.

Risks & Benefits

Odorous house ants are considered a nuisance pest due to their tendency to infest homes and their strong odor when crushed. They do not pose significant health risks to humans and are not known to cause structural damage. In the ecosystem, they can play a role in decomposition and as a food source for other animals.

Identified on: 6/30/2025