This ant gets its name from the strong, rotten coconut-like smell it gives off when crushed. These tiny insects range in size from one-sixteenth of an inch to one-eighth of an inch long.

Habits

Odorous house ants like to eat sweets.  In nature, they feed on honeydew.  They are not good at building nests and like to occupy areas that are warm and close to moisture.  They are often seen under vapor barriers, under landscape cloth, within insulation.  On occasion, they will nest within electronics and can do serious damage by shorting out wiring. 

Threats

These ants do not pose a public health risk, but they can contaminate food.  They present a quality of life issue for most people.