A newly revised publication from WSU Extension can help homeowners identify and manage a stinky insect pest found throughout North America: the odorous house ant.
Named for its peculiar odor — described as smelling like rotten coconut or blue cheese — the odorous house ant is a common nuisance that eats household foods and infests homes and buildings.
Odorous House Ant (Tapinoma sessile Say) {EB1550E} covers identification, biology, behavior, impact and pest management. Authors including former WSU scientific researcher Sam Dilday, Professor Richard Zack, and entomologist Todd Murray updated the original 1998 publication.
Each month, experts from WSU and partner institutions share informative guides on topics of interest in agriculture, home gardening, pesticide application, and more through the Extension Publications Store. Spanish-language resources are also available. Online guides now come with links to a selection of related publications.