Pest Library

Thief Ants

Thief ants get their name from their invasive behavior and the way they forage and steal resources from other nearby ant nests and colonies. These pests are attracted to high protein food sources including grease, cheese, meat, seed, etc and can be difficult to get rid of once they establish a presence in your home.

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Thief ants get their name from their invasive behavior and the way they forage and steal resources from other nearby ant nests and colonies. These pests are attracted to high protein food sources including grease, cheese, meat, seed, etc and can be difficult to get rid of once they establish a presence in your home.

Characteristics

The length of the thief ant varies from 1/32 inch to 1/8 inch (0.5 to 3 mm), though most are around 1/16 inch. Their color also varies from yellow to bronze to dark brown with a smooth shiny appearance. The petiole consists of two segments. The antennae contain 10 segments terminating in a 2-segmented club. Characteristics also include small eyes and a stinger at the rear of the abdomen. Due to their variability in size and color the thief ant is sometimes wrongly identified. The pharaoh ant can be similar in size and color.

Harborage

Thief ant colonies are found both indoor and outdoors. Nests are large and often have tiny tunnels connecting to the nearby nests of larger ants from which they habitually steal food and brood. On occasions they have been known to take over the associated ant nest. Outside they can be located under rocks, around walkways and house foundations, in rotting wood and exposed soil. Indoor nests are found in any small crevices, particularly woodwork and masonry, under floors and behind baseboards.

Treatment

How we treat Thief Ants

Thief ants can be difficult to control and need extra care to successfully treat them. Ensuring that you don’t leave any food out and clean messes is an essential first step. Our experts utilize bait and directly treat nests.

Our pest experts take a tailored approach when treating your property and work to ensure that your concerns are addressed and your home is protected, inside and out. We’re dedicated to providing you with peace of mind and making sure you enjoy your home.

Related Pests

Thief Ants FAQ

What are grease ants?
How do you get rid of grease ants?
What do grease ants look like?
Why are they named grease ants?

Learn More

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