Odorous house ant

Found widely across North America in various environments, commonly nesting under rocks, woodpiles, or inside building wall voids and near moisture sources.

Omnivorous; they prefer sweets and honeydew produced by aphids but will also consume protein-rich dead insects and grease.

They travel in distinct trails and move their nests frequently in response to environmental changes. When crushed, they emit a distinct smell often described as rotten coconut.

They do not bite or sting and are primarily a nuisance pest that can contaminate food packages. In the ecosystem, they assist in recycling nutrients and controlling other small insect populations.