Pest Control Richmond VA Odorous House Ants

When a tiny, dark ant is crushed and releases an unpleasant, rotten coconut-like odor, you’ve met the odorous house ant (OHA). These small, dark brown to black pests are extremely common nuisance ants in Richmond, VA homes and are renowned for their erratic foraging trails and massive, resilient colonies.

Unlike carpenter ants, OHAs do not damage wood, but they are highly attracted to moisture, making them frequent invaders near leaking pipes, bathtubs, heaters, and wall voids with damp insulation. Outdoors, they nest shallowly under stones, mulch, or wood piles, often moving nests (a behavior called budding) quickly in response to disturbance, like heavy rain or DIY repellent sprays.

Their diet primarily consists of sweets, making them notorious kitchen raiders attracted to spilled sodas, fruit, and the honeydew secreted by outdoor aphids. While they respond well to certain baits, their multiple queen structure and tendency to split colonies (budding) when threatened means standard sprays are ineffective, often worsening the problem. For effective pest control in Richmond, VA, targeted liquid and gel baits, coupled with professional knowledge to locate and treat all interconnected nests, is essential to achieve complete, long-term control. Give Optimal Pest Control a call today!