Pest Identification: Thief Ants in Tennessee

Thief ants get their name from their ability to nest next to or in many cases inside other ant species’ colonies and steal their food. They do this by creating tunnels to other colonies to travel through and steal the food. They’re also nicknamed “grease ants” or “sugar ants” for their attraction to greasy and sugary foods. 

How to Identify Thief Ants

Thief ants are one of the smallest insects on the planet, making them a little difficult to identify. They can also be mistaken for Pharaoh ants, so try not to get the two confused. The biggest distinguishing characteristic between thief ants and pharaoh ants is that thief ants have 10 segmented antennae, instead of eight, that end with a two-segmented club, instead of three. You can also identify thief ants by:

• Size: 1.5 to 2.2 mm long
• Color: Yellow, bronze, or dark brown
• Legs: Thief ants have six legs

Still not sure if the insects you’ve spotted are ants? Contact U.S. Pest Protection, and our technicians will be happy to help. 

Where to Find Thief Ants

Similar to pharaoh ants, thief ants typically find their way into your home through tiny cracks in windows and doors and through holes in window screens. Because they love greasy and sugary foods, you are likely to find them in several areas of your kitchen. Thief ants tend to create nesting areas in your home, such as:

• Behind baseboards
• Under flooring
• Behind woodwork
• In between walls
• In cabinet voids

Get Your Thief Ant Infestation Under Control with U.S. Pest Protection

Although they are not dangerous, thief ants are not an inviting sight in your home. Because of their small size, it is so easy for them to sneak their way into and contaminate your packaged foods. But don’t worry! When faced with a thief ant infestation, U.S. Pest Protection is there for you. Contact us for your free pest inspection today!