Sugar Ants
The February Pest of the Month

Ants are a common type of pest problem that people in the Pacific Northwest face. There are many different types of local ants, such as carpenter ants, moisture ants, velvety tree ants, pharaoh ants, pavement ants, and odorous house ants. Because different ants require different treatment methods to get rid of, it is crucial that you reach out to a professional pest control company to identify which type of ant is infesting your property. 

Sugar ants are abundant in the Pacific Northwest region, and they can quickly become a big nuisance if they end up infesting your property. Although sugar ants, also known as odorous house ants, are usually harmless, it can be a challenge to fully get rid of them. This is because odorous house ants can live in massive colonies ranging from a few hundred individuals to 100,000 (although most colonies have between 2000 and 10000 ants). These colonies can have multiple queens in them. 

Because odorous house ants are capable of detecting and avoiding many types of common pesticides, it is important that home and business owners facing an odorous house ant problem are aware of the fact that using over-the-counter treatments to try and exterminate the ants can actually exacerbate the issue. It can be incredibly difficult to enact effective pest control measures against odorous house ants on your own, so you should make sure to have a professional pest control team to help you. At Independent Pest Solutions, our experienced pest control technicians strategically apply effective pesticides to take care of the infestation. We will make sure to get rid of all the

Sugar ants commonly nest outside, and like to live beneath objects on the ground

Sugar ants commonly nest outside, and like to live beneath objects on the ground, under loose tree bark, underground cover, in potted plants, in landscaping mulch, and inside of piles of bricks, lumber, and firewood. Sugar ants can also take up residence inside homes and businesses, beneath carpeting, in walls, and in other spaces and voids suitable for their living needs. In order to successfully find and treat new sugar ant colonies, it is recommended that property owners receive preventative services and regular inspections. Because odorous house ants are so common in Washington, they might move onto your property from a neighboring one that has an infestation. 

So, what are some defining traits of odorous house ants? This species of ant is usually dark brown or black in color. They are small, and range from about 1/16ths of an inch to 1/8ths of an inch. Odorous house ants have a varied diet, and will forage for foods such as dairy products, sweet substances, meat, and vegetables. Odorous house ants got their name because they emit a sickly sweet smell that’s comparable to blue cheese or rotten coconut, especially when they are crushed. 

If you suspect that you have a sugar ant infestation on your hands, don’t hesitate to reach out to Independent Pest Solutions today. Don’t take the risk of potentially worsening the problem! Instead, get the help of trained professionals who know what they’re doing.