CITRONELLA ANTS
Citronella ants are also know as The Larger Yellow
Ant (Acanthomyops interjectus). A common ant throughout
the Northeast and Midwest that gives off a distinct
lemon or citronella odor when crushed.
The winged alates, commonly known as “swarmers”
emerge, from cracks and crevices in the walls and
floors of houses or from the basement and outside
foundations of the house. They are discharged from
the colony and after mating the queens seek places
to spend the first winter.
New colonies are started the following spring.
Since the colonies of the citronella ant are not
uncommon in garden areas, the winged forms are occasionally
found within buildings or on walls.
Since the citronella ant forages at night, they
are seldom seen by the homeowner other than at swarming
time.
The citronella ant is often encountered by the
pest control technician in response to a “termite”
call. This ant lives in the same area where termites
travel. It is also often found when the pest control
technician is digging the trench along the foundation
to do a termite treatment.
The citronella ant is an aphid or honeydew-attending
insect which is found nesting outdoors in old logs
and under stones. They occasionally carry soil into
the house or annoy merely by being present, but
otherwise they do no damage. They are not a wood
destroying insect.
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