Citronella or Large Yellow Ant
Acanthomyops interjectus
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Formicidae
Size: Workers of this species measure about 1/4-inch long (4-6mm). The winged females and males that swarm to start new colonies are typically larger, measuring 5/8-inch and 3/8-inch, respectively.
Color: Citronella workers and the winged females are golden yellow in color; winged males are black. When crushed, these ants give off a pleasant citronella scent.
Behavior: These ants live underground, feeding on the honeydew produced by subterranean aphids and mealy bugs, which themselves feed on the roots of trees and other plants. The workers are not seen foraging in homes and buildings; rather it is the winged reproductives, called swarmers, that enter buildings in early- to mid-spring. These males and females enter the home from cracks in the foundation or through subslab heating ducts. The sudden appearance of hundreds of these swarmers is often disconcerting to homeowners.
Habitat: Citronella ants locate their colonies within the soil under items such as stones, logs and landscape timbers. They also may be found in the soil under mulch next to building foundations, or they may locate colonies in soil underneath slab floors and in crawl spaces.
Control: Colonies do not require control unless the swarmers are entering the home or building. Even then, treatment may not be possible because it is difficult to know exactly where the colony is located under the foundation. Sealing the cracks in the floor where the swarmers enter may stop the swarm from entering a home or building, but the ants may find other cracks. Any treatment will involve drilling and treating beneath the slab, thus requiring the services of an experienced professional.
Environmental Policy
The employees of American Pest Management are committed to improving the quality of life for all of our customers by providing the safest and most effective treatment for the management of pests which pose a threat to their health, property, and food supply. History has shown that neglecting to control pests such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks, and the misapplication of pest control products are equally dangerous.
