Odorous House Ants in Kansas City

We are a pest exterminator in Kansas City, Missouri, and recognize the Odorous House Ant (OHA) as monomorphic. All workers are of the same size 1/16 to 1/8 inches long. OHA has a 12-segmented antenna, and it is without a club. The body color is brown to black. The pedicel is composed of a single segment, and the petiole is not visible from above because the base of the abdomen hides it. The gaster has an anal opening, which is a slit-like and is lacking a circlet of hairs. The stinger is absent. The thorax lacks spines, and the profile is unevenly rounded. When workers are crushed, they emit a rotten coconut-like odor.

The size of the Odorous House Ant colonies range upward to 10,000 ants and could be as little as a couple of hundred ants in the colony. The colony contains many reproductive females. Ants from other Odorous House Ant colonies are not aggressive toward one another. Inside, these ants usually construct their nests behind siding, brick veneer and stucco, in wall voids and especially around hot water pipes and heaters, in crevices around sinks, cupboards, etc. The OHA prefers sweets but also eat foods with high protein content and grease such as meats and cheese. Outside, they are often found in the nest of larger ants, in exposed soil, but mostly under objects. Workers feed on insects, seek honeydew and plant secretions, and even feed on seeds. They are extremely fond of honeydew and attend such insects as aphids, scale insects, mealybugs, etc. They are most likely to enter buildings when their honeydew supply is reduced, such as during rainy weather.

If you quickly clean up food (including pet food) and beverage spills from floors, counters, porches, and decks, you can discourage foraging by these ants indoors and near structures. Food items should be stored in airtight containers, if possible.

Management: After a thorough inspection by ZipZap Bed Bug KC, we will determine the proper techniques that will be required to ensure eradication of the Odorous House Ant (OHA) affecting your structure. Our Board Certified Entomologist will prescribe a program that will be specific to your unique OHA infestation problem. Through the proper use of baits or liquid chemical treatments, your OHA problem will be no longer.