Vespula pennsylvanica / maculiforna / germanica / vulgaris / squamosa and DolichovespulaThe dog days of summer…fresh water melon, ice cream, p
06.06.2023 - 16:25 / gardenerspath.com / Helga George
How to Control Citronella Ants Lasius interjectus / Lasius clavigerIn a nice change of pace, citronella (or yellow) ants have no interest in human food.
So that means they will never bother me, right? Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Citronella ants swarm aggressively in the fall (and often throughout the year), and these swarms can make their way inside.
They pose no threat, but they often frighten homeowners who fear they are termites.
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We at Gardener’s Path will explain the difference between citronella ants and termites and explain what to do when these irritating insects invade your home.
IdentificationAs their name suggests, citronellas are easily identified by the lemon verbena or citronella smell they give off when they are stressed or you crush them.
They are also known as larger yellow ants (due to their coloration) and are about 1/8” long. Their scientific name is Lasius interjectus (formerly Acanthomyops interjectus).
The aptly named smaller yellow ants (Lasius claviger) looks just like the larger ones except that they are smaller.
How to Distinguish Citronella Ants from TermitesAt first glance, the swarming citronella ants that fly to mate look alarmingly like termites. They can even be reddish-brown in color.
At this stage, they are about 1/4 inches long – just the size of termites.
Another reason they are often mistaken for termites is their tendency to push up soil as they migrate through the ground in lawns or gardens.
The smell is a key way to distinguish them from termites.
Also they have characteristic antennae with 12 segments. The first segment just reaches the head.
And citronellas have an unusual
Vespula pennsylvanica / maculiforna / germanica / vulgaris / squamosa and DolichovespulaThe dog days of summer…fresh water melon, ice cream, p
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