Citronella ants, also known as carpenter ants and false carpenter ants, are an invasive species of termite that were introduced to the United States from Asia. They can be found throughout much of the country’s southern states, including Florida, Texas, and California. They tend to prefer warm climates and sandy soils. In order to survive in their new environment, they have developed a symbiotic relationship with aphids—a group of insects that feed on plant sap. These aphid-carrying ants protect the aphids from predators by stinging them when threatened.
Termites are an important part of our ecosystem because they eat wood and help break down organic matter into soil nutrients. They also recycle wood by consuming woody debris or “waste” products such as paper or plastic packaging materials. Termites are beneficial insects because they help control pest insects like whiteflies and scales by feeding on their eggs and larvae.
Citronella ants feed on many different types of plants including grasses, weeds and trees. Citronella ants prefer to feed on plants that contain oils or fatty acids in their leaves and stems which they use to produce food for themselves and their young ones.
While the two pests are similar in many ways, there are some important differences that can make a difference in how you deal with them. In addition to the fact that the two pests have different preferences for certain kinds of environments, their body structures also play a large role in their behavior.
Why Are They Called Citronella Ants?
Citronella ants are called citronella ants because they have a scent that makes them distasteful to other ants. Citronella ants are called citronella because of their mandibular glands, or scent glands, which produce a chemical that has been used in insect repellents and perfumes. These glands produce citronellol, which is an oil that is rubbed on the body to repel predators.
The name “citronella ants” is a misnomer, but it has stuck. In fact, the ants are not related to citronella plants at all. They’re actually a type of ant that lives in the tropical rainforests of Central America.
What Does Citronella Do to Ants?
Citronella is a plant that produces a natural insect repellant. It’s also used in many household products, like soaps, candles and air fresheners.
Citronella does not kill ants—but it can make them less likely to be on your property. Citronella has a strong smell that is unpleasant to many insects, including ants. When citronella is applied to plant foliage, or as an insect killer around the home or garden, it can make ants leave your property before they have had time to come into contact with the chemical.
Citronella does not affect other insects (like bees or butterflies) in any way; however, some people are allergic to citronella and may experience allergic reactions when using this repellent product around their home.
How Do I Get Rid of Citronella Ants?
The best way to get rid of citronella ants is with a professional pest control service. You may be able to do it yourself, but it will take a lot of effort and time, as well as potentially toxic chemicals that could damage your home or pets.
Here are some other tips for getting rid of citronella ants:
- Make sure there’s no food around that attracts the ants (such as pet food or birdseed).
- Make sure there aren’t any other sources of water for the ants (such as leaky pipes).
- Remove any flowers from your garden or yard because they provide shelter for the ant population.
What Scent Do Termites Hate?
Termites hate the smell of lemon. They hate the smell of dish soap and laundry detergent. They hate the smell of vinegar, and they hate the smell of garlic.
Termites hate the smell of citrus fruits. This is because the citric acid in citrus fruits causes them to secrete defensive pheromones that repel termites.
Termites hate the smell of apples. They will leave the fruit alone if you put it near your home, but if you put that same fruit at a distance from your house and spray it with apple juice, they will be drawn to it.
What Naturally Keeps Termites Away?
Termites are a common problem in homes and businesses, but they’re not always easy to deal with. Luckily, there are plenty of natural solutions to keep them at bay.
The first thing you can do is simply increase the amount of moisture in your home. The more water that’s around, the more likely it is that termites will be drawn to it. You can do this by putting down a layer of mulch or by cleaning up any large puddles that appear on the floor. Both of these methods will help keep the soil around your house moist and therefore less attractive to termites.
You can also try using an ant repellent spray or a liquid spray insecticide that contains pyrethrin (a type of pesticide). These products will kill off any insects in their path and prevent them from coming back.
Homemade Repellent for Ants and Termites
Ants and termites are very common pests in the home. They can be a nuisance, but they can also cause damage if left unchecked. The best way to get rid of these insects is by using a homemade repellent that you can make yourself. All you need are some essential oils, which will help repel the ants and termites away from your home.
The first step is to gather all of the ingredients that you need for this homemade repellent:
Essential oils (for example, peppermint oil)
Cotton balls
A mason jar or other container with a lid
Once you have gathered all of these necessary supplies, it is time to create your own homemade ant and termite repellent. To do so, simply combine your chosen essential oil with some cotton balls in a mason jar or other container with a lid, then set aside for 24 hours before using them on your property. You should place these jars throughout your yard so that all areas where ants tend to congregate are covered with the repellent. After 24 hours have passed, spray them liberally throughout any areas where ants might be present and let sit for another 24 hours before reusing.
List of Repellent for Citronella Ants and Termites
Citronella ants and termites are both pests that can be defeated by using repellents. The main goal of a repellent is to keep these pests from finding their way into your home in the first place. It’s important to note that you should use a mixture of repellents, as one type may not work for every situation.
Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2: With Comfort Wand, Kills Ants, Cockroaches, Spiders, Fleas & Ticks, Odor Free, 1.1 gal.
Price : $14.49 ($0.10 / Fl Oz)
Features :
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
- KILLS BUGS INSIDE: Kills those annoying home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes
- KEEPS BUGS OUTSIDE: Creates a bug barrier that will kill bugs you have and prevents new bugs for up to 12 months (applies to ants, roaches and spiders indoors on non-porous surfaces)
- NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
- WAND MAKES APPLICATION EASY: The Comfort Wand eliminates hand fatigue, and there’s no pumping required, making it easy to spray along your home’s perimeter–indoors and outside
Additional Info :
| Color | White |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.88 Inches |
| Width | 12 Inches |
| Length | 8.95 Inches |
| Weight | 0.73 Pounds |
TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer, 12 Bait Stations
Price : $11.92
Features :
- Attracts & Kills – Kills common household ants including acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, pavement, and other sweet-eating ants
- Kills the Ants You See & the Ones You Don’t – As worker ants discover the bait, they share it with the rest of the colony to eliminate them all
- Works Fast – You should see a significant decrease in the number of ants visiting the bait stations within just a few days
- Ready to Use – Place the bait stations, watch it attract ants, and eliminate the entire colony
- Use Throughout Your Home – Place stations near areas where you’ve seen ant activity including along baseboards, in corners, on counters, and more
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.5 Inches |
| Width | 6.6 Inches |
| Length | 1.2 Inches |
| Weight | 0.27 Pounds |
Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes, 15 Count
Price : $44.85
Features :
- Two termite products IN one: pop-up indicators detect termite activity, and the stakes kill foraging termites
- Installs IN minutes: place stakes in the ground 2 to 3 feet away from your home and no more than 10 feet apart
- Pop-up indicator: check the stakes for termite activity when the pop-up indicator is seen
- Complete kit: includes 15 stakes with locator shields, instruction booklet and digging tool
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 16 Inches |
| Width | 12 Inches |
| Length | 4 Inches |
| Weight | 2 Pounds |
TERRO T1901-6 Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer, Orange
Price : $9.99
Features :
- Kills Carpenter ants, termites, carpenter bees, wood wasps, and other insects
- Kills on contact and continues killing for up to 1 month
- 2 way spray nozzle allows you to reach crevices where pests live
- Odorless and non staining formula
- Ideal for indoor or outdoor use
Additional Info :
| Color | Orange |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 9.4 Inches |
| Width | 8 Inches |
| Length | 2.7 Inches |
| Weight | 1.2 Pounds |
BioAdvanced 700350A Termite Killer Home Perimeter Treatment Ready-to-Spread Granules, 9 Pounds, N.A
Price : $48.98
Features :
- TERMITE KILLER: Easy to use granuals kills the termites you see, and the ones you don’t see
- PERIMETER DEFENSE: Treat around the perimeter of your home, garage, wood piles and fence posts
- EASY APPLICATION: Just sprinkle, water, and walk away
- COVERAGE AREA: Treats up to 200 linear feet- that’s the perimteter of an average sized home
- RESTRICTIONS: Not for sale in NY, CT, MD & VT
Additional Info :
| Color | Granules |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 12 Inches |
| Width | 9.9 Inches |
| Length | 6 Inches |
| Weight | 9 Pounds |
In Conclusion
The conclusion is that Citronella ants and termites are both pests. However, there are some differences between them. They both have a negative impact on plants, but the Citronella ant has a smaller body size, which makes it easier to keep under control. The termite tends to be bigger than Citronella ants, so it is recommended that you use an appropriate insecticide for this pest species.