When it comes to ants, most people think of the common black or brown types. Citronella ants, on the other hand, are an interesting species that can be told apart from other ants by their bright yellow colour and unique behaviour. These ants are an interesting part of your yard’s environment, and knowing what makes them unique can help you live with them peacefully.
How to Identify Citronella Ants
The bright lemony yellow colour of citronella ants, which are in the genus Lasius, makes them stand out. People sometimes call them “Yellow Ants” because of their bright colour. There are different shades of colour for this type of ants, from light yellow to darker shades or even light brown. But all of them look yellow.
Behaviour and How They Nest
Citronella ants do a lot of interesting things and like to nest in these places:
Defensive Odour: One thing that makes citronella ants stand out is the strong lemony smell they give off when they are threatened or killed. It uses this smell to protect itself from possible enemies.
What they eat: Citronella ants mostly eat the honeydew that mealybugs and underground aphids make. They keep these insects from being eaten and “milk” them for the sugary fluids they secrete.
Colonies: Compared to other ant species, citronella ant colonies aren’t very big. They usually build their nests underground, making tunnels and rooms below ground. In your yard, you might find buildings that look like mounds. These are entrances to their nests.
Females with wings: Citronella ant groups make females with wings that swarm in late spring and early summer. These ant species with wings fly to mate and start new colonies.
Getting along with people
Most people think that citronella ants are safe for humans. They are not dangerous to buildings or stored food like some ant types are. These species are more of a bother than a threat. However, there are times when they may be more noticeable or cause problems:
Big Colonies: Citronella ants are usually not mean when they come into your home, but big colonies can mean that there are a lot of them in your yard, which some people may find annoying.
Unwanted Invasion: Citronella ants may sometimes come into homes looking for food, especially if there are sweet substances or insects that make honeydew inside.
How to Deal with Citronella Ants
Here are some things you can do to get rid of Citronella ants if you find them in your yard or sometimes inside your home:
Being tolerant: Because Citronella ants are usually safe, you may choose to live with them in your yard, especially if they don’t cause any major problems.
Get rid of plants that attract aphids or mealybugs. Getting rid of these pests can help lower the number of citronella ants because the ants need the sap that these bugs make.
Seal Entry Points: Make sure that doors and windows are properly sealed to keep citronella ants out of your home. Fixed any holes or cracks that could let things in.
Professional Help: If there are too many citronella ants or if you keep having problems with them inside, you might want to talk to a pest control professional for advice and possible treatment options.
Finally, the strange yellow ants you might find in your yard are called citronella ants. Due to their unique colour and smell, they may seem strange, but they are usually harmless and play an important part in the ecosystem. You can live with these interesting ants in your outdoor space without any problems if you understand how they act and take some simple steps.
At Ant Control Lindsay, we offer long-term solutions that can guarantee the eradication of pest presence throughout the property through crack and crevice application in areas of high activity.