Odorous house ants are one of the most common ant problems for homeowners in Upstate South Carolina and Northeast Georgia. They’re small, fast, and easy to miss, until you spot a trail of ants in your kitchen or bathroom. What makes them especially memorable is the strong smell they give off when crushed, often compared to rotten coconut or blue cheese.
Because these ants form multiple nests and can spread quickly, many homeowners find that DIY sprays only make the problem worse. If you’re seeing ants inside your home, it’s worth identifying the species so you can treat the problem correctly.
Odorous house ants are active year-round in SC and GA, but they’re especially noticeable when:
These ants don’t need a lot of food to survive, so they often enter homes looking for moisture and small crumbs.
Odorous house ants are tiny compared to carpenter ants or termites, but their behavior makes them stand out.
Quick ID:
If you crush one, the smell is usually described as rotten coconut, blue cheese, or a sour, pungent odor. If you notice this smell, you’re very likely dealing with odorous house ants.
If you’re seeing ants inside your home, it helps to know which species you’re dealing with.
Odorous house ants are much smaller than carpenter ants and typically appear in large numbers near food and moisture sources. Unlike fire ants, they do not sting, and unlike pavement ants, they are more likely to enter homes.
Common indoor hiding spots include:
They prefer areas with moisture and easy access to food.
These ants are attracted to homes with:
Even small crumbs or sticky residue can support a large colony.
Odorous house ants are not dangerous, but they can still cause problems, including:
They don’t damage wood, but because they form multiple nests, they can be hard to eliminate without professional help.
These ants can enter homes through the smallest openings, including:
Once they find a food source, they leave pheromone trails that attract more ants, quickly turning a few ants into a full-blown infestation.
If you see odorous house ants in your home, the best solution is to schedule a professional inspection to identify and treat the colony at its source.
Why DIY often fails:
Store-bought sprays may kill visible ants, but they don’t reach the nest. Ants can also form satellite colonies, which means you may kill one group while another remains untouched.
Prevention is the best strategy. Here are the most effective tips:
If you’re seeing ants inside your home, it’s best to call a professional before the problem grows.
Compass Pest Management provides local pest control services across Upstate South Carolina and Northeast Georgia. Our approach focuses on:
If you’re seeing ants inside your home or you’d like to sign up for pest control services before you have uninvited guests, contact Compass Pest Management today.
Dale G has offered his expertise on a number of matters for our home: pest control, moisture control, moisture remediation, and insulation. I always leave the conversation feeling much more knowledgeable and having options. Dale makes us excited to contract Compass.
Anthony R.
Greenville, SC
Professional and friendly service! We are new to the area and happy we selected Compass for our pest control needs.
April Z.
Anderson, SC
I’ve been using Compass for over 5 years now for pest control and mosquito control and they do a great job. They are on time and always very professional. They are very accommodating if I ever needed anything else done like an ant problem in my kitchen.
Penny F.
Cornelia, GA
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