A CLOSER LOOK
Citronella Ant
Lasius interjectus
Yellowish ants that give off a citrus smell when crushed. Swarmers are easy to misread in basements and slab areas.
Learn what to look for- Type
- Ants
- Season
- Mar through Sep
- Where found
- Soil, slabs, foundation edges
01 / IDENTIFICATION
How to recognize it.
Color
Yellow to reddish yellow. The yellowish body separates them from most dark household ants.
Odor
Citronella or lemon scent. Crushed workers may release a noticeable lemon-like odor.
Petiole
One node. A single waist node helps separate them from two-node ants.
Nest site
Subterranean soil. They nest underground and often feed on honeydew from root-feeding insects.
Swarmer clue
Swarmer confusion. Winged ants emerging indoors can trigger concern until they are identified.
Food source
Root honeydew. They tend honeydew-producing insects on plant roots.
More identification clues
- Yellowish ants or swarmers with a lemon or citronella odor when crushed.
- Activity connected to soil, slabs, foundation edges, or basement areas.
- Winged ants indoors with elbowed antennae and pinched waists.
- No evidence of hidden wood-feeding activity.
Clues that suggest a different pest
- Repeated indoor winged insects should be identified before treatment.
- Tiny yellow indoor trails with multi-queen nesting concern point toward pharaoh ants.
- Dark kitchen trails with coconut odor point toward odorous house ants.
- Slab-edge two-node ants without citrus odor are more likely pavement ants.
02 / A CLOSER LOOK
Where it lives. What to watch for.
Citronella ants live underground and feed heavily on honeydew from aphids and mealybugs associated with plant roots. Their main household significance is occasional indoor swarming that can be misread without identification.
Soil and slab edges
Check basement cracks, slab lines, and soil contact areas.
Root-feeding insects
Aphids and mealybugs on roots can support colonies.
Winged ants
Indoor swarmers are usually the reason homeowners notice them.
Seasonal activity
Citronella ants are most noticed during swarming periods in spring and fall, especially around basements and slab edges.
Signs you may notice
- Trails near food, moisture, windows, or plumbing lines
- Soil or debris near cracks and slab edges
- Winged ants or recurring indoor activity
Life cycle and behavior
Soil and slabs
Basement and slab sightings often trace back to soil colonies near foundations.
Root honeydew
They are more connected to subterranean honeydew than kitchen food trails.
Swarmer confusion
Winged ants should be identified carefully before service.
03 / COMPARE
Could it be something else?
Pharaoh ants are tiny indoor nesting ants and do not fit the subterranean citronella-ant swarmer pattern.
Cornfield ants are related Lasius ants but are more lawn and turf associated.
Pavement ants are small two-node ants tied to hardscape cracks.
04 / NEXT STEPS
What to do if you find them.
Good citronella ant work starts by separating swarmers from other evidence, then deciding whether the soil source is actually causing a household problem.
Track where Citronella Ant is appearing before treatment.
Reduce moisture, clutter, food access, or exterior harborage where possible.
Avoid heavy DIY spray use when identification is uncertain.
Use the service page or quote form when activity repeats or spreads.
What an inspection considers
- Confirm the Citronella Ant identification before choosing products or methods.
- Inspect Soil, slabs, foundation edges and surrounding entry routes.
- Match the treatment plan to the source condition, not just visible activity.
- Document recommendations so prevention steps are clear after service.
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Behind this guide
Identification and pest-management references used for this guide. A close inspection may be needed to confirm a species.
- Penn State Extension ↗Citronella ant odor, species context, swarmer confusion, and biology.
- University of Minnesota Extension ↗Household ant identification and citronella ant comparison context.
- University of Nebraska Extension ↗Structural ant identification reference.
- Colorado School IPM Handbook ↗Structural pest identification reference including yellow ants.