How To Get Rid Of Thief Ants

How To Get Rid Of Thief Ants

Thief ants (also called grease ants) are small, yellowish-brown ants that can be notoriously difficult to control because of their tiny size, ability to nest in hidden places, and preference for greasy or protein-rich foods. While our professional pest control is often the most effective solution, a home or business owner can take the following steps to try to manage them on their own:

Identify and Locate the Nest

• Thief ants are very small (about 1/16–1/12 inch long) and often nest in wall voids, under floors, in insulation, or near food sources.

• Look for trails, usually near kitchens or pantries, and try to follow them back to the nest.

• Note: Locating nests is difficult; if you cannot find them, baiting is your most effective strategy.

Eliminate Food Sources

• Keep all food stored in tightly sealed containers.

• Clean up crumbs, spills, and grease immediately.

• Empty trash cans frequently and use liners.

• Avoid leaving pet food out for long periods.

Use Baiting Instead of Sprays

• Thief ants are attracted to greasy or protein-rich baits rather than sugar-based baits. Good bait types include peanut butter-based gel baits and oil or protein-based ant gels.

• Place bait directly along ant trails or near suspected entry points.

• Do not spray insecticides directly on ants or trails, as this can cause the colony to split and make the infestation worse.

• Be patient: it can take several days to a few weeks for the colony to be eliminated as worker ants carry the bait back to the nest.

Seal Entry Points

• Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices where ants are entering.

• Repair any leaks or moisture issues, as thief ants often nest near water sources.

Maintain Ongoing Prevention

• Keep surfaces clean and free of crumbs and grease.

• Regularly inspect for new trails or activity.

• Consider rotating bait types if ants stop taking them.

Thief ants are extremely small and secretive, making nest location and elimination difficult. Spraying or simply killing visible ants will rarely eliminate the colony. Our professional pest control ensures targeted baiting, monitoring, and control, often achieving results much faster and more reliably.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Thief Ants

Our professional pest control is the best way to get rid of thief ants for several reasons, all rooted in the ant’s biology, behavior, and the challenges of controlling them effectively:

Thief Ants Are Extremely Small and Secretive

• Adult thief ants are only about 1/16 to 1/12 inch long and can enter the tiniest cracks or wall voids.

• Their colonies often nest in hidden, hard-to-reach locations such as inside walls, insulation, under floors, or even within appliances.

• Locating the nest is critical for eradication, and our professionals have the experience and tools to pinpoint these hidden nests.

Colony Structure Makes DIY Control Difficult

• Thief ant colonies can contain thousands of individuals, often with multiple nests.

• Spraying visible ants with insecticides does not eliminate the colony; it only kills foraging workers.

• Our professionals use targeted baiting strategies, which rely on ants carrying insecticide back to the nest. This method kills the queen and the colony, which DIY sprays rarely accomplish.

Proper Bait Selection and Placement

• Thief ants prefer greasy or protein-based foods rather than sugar, which many household baits focus on.

• Our professionals have access to high-efficacy ant baits that are specifically formulated for thief ants.

• We also know strategic placement, timing, and rotation techniques to prevent ants from ignoring the bait—a common reason DIY attempts fail.

Long-Term Monitoring and Prevention

• Our professionals don’t just eliminate the current infestation; we implement ongoing monitoring to catch new colonies early.

• We also provide advice or treatment to seal entry points, reduce conducive conditions, and prevent future infestations.

• This is particularly important for businesses, where even a small infestation can spread quickly and cause compliance issues.

Safety and Efficiency

• Handling pesticides incorrectly can be hazardous to humans and pets. Our professionals are trained in safe handling, application, and cleanup.

• DIY treatments often involve repeated applications, trial-and-error, and wasted product. Our professionals can achieve faster, more reliable results with less overall risk and effort.

Thief ants are extremely difficult to eradicate on your own because of their size, nesting habits, and selective feeding preferences. Our professional pest control ensures a targeted, safe, and long-lasting solution that DIY methods rarely match.