The Scout Ant: The First to Discover Food
Ants are highly resourceful and curious creatures, and they’re constantly foraging for food. If you’ve suddenly noticed a swarm of ants inside your home, a scout ant likely found something appealing—whether it’s food or moisture—and left behind a pheromone trail to signal the colony. Scout ants can travel quite a distance, especially species like carpenter ants, which can forage up to a few hundred yards away from their nest!
The Role of Pheromone Trails
Once a scout ant finds food, it marks the path back to the colony with pheromones. This helps other ants follow the scent and join the feast. That’s why, after you see one ant, it’s common to find an overwhelming number the next day. These ants are not just after food; they’re also searching for moisture, which might explain why you see them around sinks, showers, or dishwashers.
The Right Time to Be Active
Although ants are active throughout the day, they tend to be especially busy during the evening and early morning hours. If you find ants in your home at night, it’s likely because they are at their peak foraging time.
Sugar Ant Description
Size
The sugar ant is very small—measuring about 2.4-3.3mm long. They are typically about as small as a pencil eraser. Although they are small, they quickly become noticeable as they swarm around food or stream through your home in a line.
Color
Sugar ants are typically black in color.
Smell
This might sound strange, but when crushed, sugar ants release an unpleasant, coconut-smelling odor. Sugar ants have a gland that releases this smell and it’s why they are called the odorous house ant.
