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Thief Ant Appearance and Size Facts
Think you may be dealing with thief ants in your house? The thief ant is a smaller species and is sometimes nicknamed the grease ant, because of the foods it seeks out. They are called thief ants because they often steal food and nests from other species of ants. Thief ants are so small they can sometimes live in a house for years before anyone discovers them.
Because of the thief ant’s small size, it can slip into the nooks and crannies of a home easily. While they don’t typically use their stinger, thief ants can carry diseases. Some notable characteristics of thief ants include:
- Light brown or yellow
- 1/32 inch long
- Very small eyes
- Small stinger
- Can resemble fire ants
Identifying Thief Ants From Other Ants
The thief ant is one of the smallest species of ants, much tinier than the pavement ant or the elongate twig ant, for example. Unfortunately, thief ants look almost identical to pharaoh ants, which are similar in size, shape, and color. They can also easily be confused with fire ants at a quick glance. If you’re unsure if the ants in your home are thief ants, it’s best to turn to the professionals at Hulett, who can identify the species for you.
Behavior and Habitat of Thief Ants
Thief ants seek out any reliable food source they can find but generally prefer grease, meat, dairy products, or dead insects. These ants are also known to feed on sweets. They are highly adaptable and can build a colony almost anywhere, especially in areas of your home that are not easily accessible. This troublesome species can be hard to get rid of due to its tiny size.
Signs of Infestation of Thief Ants
Since thief ants can go for long periods undetected, it can be hard to see signs of them in your home. Sometimes, homeowners will see a line of thief ants or a trail of food left behind. Due to their small size, thief ants can also sometimes sneak into seemingly sealed food containers, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for them there.
Tips for Prevention of Thief Ants
The best way to prevent thief ants, as well as other species of ants, is to ensure that all food is well-sealed and floors are kept clean. Pet food should also be kept off the floor. You’ll also want to ensure that potential entryways, like large cracks under doors and windows, are sealed off.
Getting Rid of Thief Ants
When possible, try to locate the thief ants’ colony. Be sure to check in any exposed spaces such as behind cabinets, in cracks, and around other tucked-away areas. Beyond just their tiny size, thief ants can be hard to get rid of because they can be resistant to store-bought traps.
Thief ants are sometimes called grease ants because they prefer greasy foods to sugary substances. Because of all the challenges thief ants cause, professional ant control services are the best route to get rid of these tiny pests for good.
Effective Thief Ant Control Solutions
Whether you’re dealing with thief ants, another ant species, or a different pest altogether, Hulett is here to help you get back to a pest-free life. Our effective, professional pest control solutions can take care of your infestation and prevent pests from returning.
Thief ants are just one of the many pests Hulett can help eliminate. Get a free quote for our pest control services today and let us take care of the ants so you don’t have to.
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