(by the kind permission of National Pest Management Association)
Tapinoma sessile
Description
Color: Brown or black
Legs: 6
Shape: Segmented; oval
Size: 1/16-1/8
Antennae: True
This ant gets its name from the strong, rotten coconut-like smell it gives off when crushed. These tiny insects range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to one-eighth of an inch long.
Habits
Odorous house ants like to eat sweets, especially melon.
Habitat
Typically living for several years, these ants make their homes in exposed soil and wall cracks.
Threats
These ants do not pose a public health risk, but they can contaminate food and should be avoided.
Prevention
Eliminate standing water. Pests such as odorous house ants are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Pests like to build nests in stacks of wood.
