Odorous House Ant
Easy DIY
Identification
Small dark brown to black ants, about 1/8 inch, that release a strong rotten-coconut smell when crushed. They nest in shallow soil, under mulch, or in wall voids, and form large, fast-moving trails to food, especially sweets.
Can I DIY this?
Easy DIYYou can handle this one yourself.
With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.
Recommended products
Syngenta Advion Ant Gel, 4 x 30g tubesBait the trail (indoors)Syngenta Demand CS Insecticide, 8ozOutside perimeter sprayNisus Niban Granular Bait, 10 lbsYard & foundation granular baitSome links may be affiliate links. Buggsy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Always follow the product label.
- Confirm the species and follow trails back toward the entry point and nest.
- Clean up food and moisture sources indoors, and seal the cracks or gaps ants are using to get in.
- Apply a non-repellent liquid or aerosol along baseboards, door frames, and entry points — ants can't detect it, so they track it back to the colony instead of just dying where they touch it.
- Set out both a protein-based and a sugar-based bait near (not on top of) the trail. Ants' preference shifts with the season, so offering both increases how much gets carried back.
- Treat the exterior foundation line and any vegetation touching the house with a non-repellent perimeter spray.
- Check bait weekly and refill as needed. Non-repellent products work slowly on purpose — expect full results in 2-4 weeks.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.