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Tapinoma sessile

Odorous House Ant

Tapinoma sessile

The odorous house ant tends to colonize near heat sources and in insulation when indoors and under rocks and exposed soil when outdoors. Colonies can range from 100-10,000 in size, and the longer you wait to take action, the larger the population will get, making it a matter of weeks before the area can be cleared.
RISK LEVEL:
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Risk is defined as how much damage each pest can be to you, your family, or your home
  • Attracted to moisture, so standing water should be eliminated.
  • Firewood, rocks, and other materials should not be stored near the house; it encourages nesting.
  • Most commonly appear in late winter and early spring.
  • Indoors: nest found in wall voids, hot water pipes and heaters, behind paneling, under carpeting, and beneath the floor.
Class: Order: Family:
Insecta Hymenoptera Formicidae
Size: 1/16-1/8 inch (1.5-3.2mm)
Color: Dark brown to black in color
Characteristics: On average about 2-3mm in length and range from brown to black in color. Also known as coconut ants, they are named for the odor they produce when they are crushed. Almost always seen foraging in large numbers and run around in an erratic manner with their abdomens sticking out in the air when they are alarmed.
Geographic Range: Found throughout North America and very common in Virginia
Food: Scavenger/predator ant that eats other insects, and many household foods, especially those that contain sugar (also sweets, especially melons).
Biology: Odorous house ant colonies can contain around 10,000 ants and contain numerous reproductive females that can establish subsidiary colonies. Ants from different colonies are not aggressive toward each other.
Tapinoma sessile

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