How To Get Rid Of Odorous House Ants
Getting rid of odorous house ants (commonly known as sugar ants or coconut ants due to their foul, rotten-coconut smell when crushed) can be tricky for homeowners and business owners because these ants form large, resilient colonies and can relocate their nests when threatened. However, with persistence and a strategic approach, you can manage them effectively on your own. Here’s how to get rid of odorous house ants:
Identify the Problem Correctly
Odorous house ants are small (1/16–1/8 inch long), dark brown to black, and often trail along baseboards, countertops, and entry points like window sills or plumbing lines. They are attracted to sweets, proteins, and moisture. Correct identification is crucial because treatment methods differ for each species.
Eliminate Food and Water Sources
Odorous house ants thrive where food and moisture are available.
Clean up spills and crumbs immediately. Focus on kitchens, pantries, and breakrooms.
Store food in airtight containers. This includes pet food, sugar, and snacks.
Fix leaks and reduce humidity. Check under sinks, around HVAC units, and in basements.
Empty trash regularly and clean the bins to remove residue that attracts ants.
Find and Block Entry Points
Inspect areas where ants are entering the structure.
Seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and utility lines with silicone caulk.
Trim vegetation and move mulch or debris at least 12–18 inches away from the foundation.
Repair damaged screens and door sweeps to minimize new entries.
Use Ant Baits—Not Sprays
Spraying visible ants directly will only kill workers, not the colony. Odorous house ants will simply relocate the nest when sprayed with repellents. Instead, baiting is the key to long-term control.
Choose slow-acting, non-repellent baits (gel, liquid, or bait stations) labeled for odorous house ants. Examples include products with borax, hydramethylnon, or indoxacarb.
Place baits along active trails—especially near entry points, countertops, and baseboards.
Avoid using contact sprays near bait sites, as this will deter the ants from feeding.
Be patient. It can take 1–3 weeks for the bait to reach and eliminate the colony.
Maintain a Clean Perimeter
Remove organic debris (leaves, mulch, firewood) close to the building.
Reduce moisture around the foundation. Ensure gutters and downspouts direct water away.
Use non-repellent perimeter treatments if necessary (e.g., fipronil or imidacloprid-based products) following all label instructions.
Monitor and Reapply as Needed
Ant populations can reappear from satellite colonies, so ongoing monitoring is critical.
Continue inspecting bait sites and refresh bait placements as needed.
Track ant activity weekly to confirm the infestation is diminishing.
Consider seasonal maintenance if your property has recurring problems, especially in spring and summer.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Odorous House Ants
Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of odorous house ants because these ants are notoriously difficult to eliminate without expert intervention. Unlike many common ant species, odorous house ants do not respond well to standard over-the-counter sprays or bait products. When disturbed or treated improperly, their colonies tend to split through a process called budding, where workers and queens form multiple new satellite colonies throughout the structure. This behavior often causes infestations to spread and worsen rather than resolve.
Our professional pest control service uses targeted treatment strategies designed specifically for odorous house ants. Our experts begin with a thorough inspection to locate nesting sites, which can be hidden inside wall voids, under floors, near moisture sources, or outdoors beneath stones and mulch. We then use non-repellent insecticides and professional-grade bait formulations that ants carry back to the colony, eliminating it from the inside out. This approach ensures that the queens and brood are eradicated—something most DIY products cannot accomplish.
Additionally, our professionals address the root causes of infestations, such as entry points, food and moisture sources, and conducive environmental conditions. We can seal gaps, recommend structural modifications, and implement ongoing monitoring to prevent recurrence.
Our professional pest control delivers comprehensive identification and treatment of colonies, access to specialized, effective products unavailable to the public, long-term prevention and monitoring rather than temporary relief, and reduced risk of spreading colonies through improper handling.