(Tapinoma sessile)

Odorous house ants are small, dark brown ants approximately 1/8 inch long. They are often referred to as "sugar ants" due to their fondness for sweet foods.

Odorous house ants foraging in and around the home for food and/or water will often choose to establish colonies inside the structure since these items are readily available there. These ants are often seen in the kitchen and bathroom beginning in early spring. Inside the home they are generally found in wall voids, especially around hot water heaters and hot water pipes. While these ants do not cause structural damage, they can be very annoying due to their presence in our homes.

Habitat:
Odorous house ants are found outdoors nesting beneath rocks, under logs and landscape timbers, under mulch, or just about anything lying on the ground can act as a nesting site for these ants.

Diet:
Odorous house ants are attracted to sugary substances such as empty soda cans, syrups, and any other type of sweet food debris.