Citronella Ant

Size:

Workers of this species measure about 1/4-inch in length. Two closely related species are smaller. The winged females and males that swarm to start new colonies may measure up to 5/8-inch and 3/8-inch, respectively.

Color:

Citronella ants and their relatives are golden yellow in color. The winged female swarmers are also golden yellow while the winged males are black.

Behavior:

The citronella ant is actually named the “large yellow ant,” but it derives its nickname from the strong citronella odor emitted from its body. These ants are subterranean in nature. They feed on the honeydew produced by subterranean aphids and mealybugs, which 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. The swarmers also have the strong, characteristic citronella odor.