How to get rid of thief ants? Thief ants are one of the tiniest species of ant. They tend to build their nest close to or within your food supplies for them to get easy and quick access. Getting ants in your food is not a good idea.
So, getting rid of them is a good idea, now how do you get rid of thief ants, well to you, it might seem to be hard, but after reading through this article, with what we have in stock for you will end up knowing how easy it is to get rid of thief ants,
Facts About Thief Ants
One of the tiniest species of ants commonly found in homes is the thief ant. The term “thief ant” comes from the behavior of these insects, which is to build their nests extremely close to, or even sometimes within, the nests of other species of ants, which they then rob of food and brood (larvae and pupae).
Although the colonies are typically much smaller than those of other species of ants, they can nonetheless support a large number of queens and thousands of workers.
Thief ants are often confused with pharaoh ants, although they differ in characteristics. These insects are also referred to as “grease ants” or “sugar ants” because of their affinity for greasy foods and sweet treats.
This ant species can be found throughout most of the Eastern United States. See below for information on thief ant control and how to get rid of thief ants.
Workers of the thief ant species are among the tiniest of the home ant species. All of them are quite small, measuring around 1/16 of an inch in length, and their hue is a light golden yellowish brown.
The workers in a colony are all the same size, and there may be more than one queen responsible for laying eggs.
The nests of thief ants are typically located in the open air, in bare soil, around foundations, or under logs or stones that are lying on the ground.
They get access to a building through fractures that are only a few millimeters wide in the foundation and can make their homes in the fissures and voids that are found indoors under baseboards, under floors, in wall voids, cupboards, and other similar spaces.
Read also: Moisture Ants: Facts, Identification and How to Get Rid
Facts About Thief Ants
There are several distinct facts about thief ants that cannot be easily seen in other subclasses of ants, they are rare, especially in their behavior.
Below are a few listed facts about thief ants:
- The hue of thief ants ranges from yellow to a light brown, and their eyes are very small.
- Having a somewhat short stinger that can be seen with the naked eye is a must.
Because they are known to steal food from other kinds of ants that reside in close proximity to them, their common name comes from that behavior. - Length is one-thirtieth of an inch.
- Usually nest in close proximity to other kinds of ants.
- Choose foods that are high in protein.
Read also: How Many Ants Are In The World?
Picture of Thief Ants
Below are pictures of thief ants;
Do Thief Ants Bite?
They do not exhibit any evidence of aggressiveness, even when picked up, and they appear to be the kindest species of ants. Thief ants are quite distinct from any other species of ant or living being.
Thief ants, much like fire ants, have stingers; however, due to the fact that thief ants are much smaller than fire ants, their stingers are not able to puncture human flesh nor are they powerful enough to inflict injury to humans.
Despite the fact that they are equipped with stingers, thief ants do not bite. However, because of their diminutive size, their stingers are rarely deployed to any significant effect.
Read also: Killing Fire Ants With Dawn Dish Soap: Procedures
How to Get Rid of Thief Ants
Do you want to know how to get rid of thief ants? Following the methods listed below, you’ll be able to get rid of thief ants without any professional assistance.
- Making it a routine to clean the spaces used for food preparation and dining after each snack and meal is a good habit to get into.
- Filling up gaps and crevices around windows and doors with caulk.
- After each and every use, sweeping or vacuuming the kitchen floors and eating rooms, paying specific attention to the space under dining tables.
- Repair any areas that have been destroyed by water and get rid of any sources of leakage that may be present in your building.
- You should get rid of damaged furniture anywhere in your home, including outside in gardens, lofts, and other areas.
- To put an end to dampness ants and a pervasion, you should make use of exceptional synthetics.
- In the event that the problem appears to be uncontrollable, you should get in touch with experts for assistance in locating the cause of the problem and solving it.
How to Prevent Thief Ants
The precise location of the thief ant nest is essential for preventing infestations, yet these nests are notoriously difficult to find.
However, there are certain preventative actions that homeowners may do to stop the problem before it even happens, and those efforts should be taken in addition to employing a preventative pest management plan.
It is essential to eliminate any access to food and water sources in order to avoid thief ants. This can be accomplished by sweeping up crumbs and repairing any appliances or fixtures that might be causing a leak.
Cracks and fissures, which are simple for ants to climb into and allow them to enter a home, should be looked for and sealed up by homeowners. Ants can enter a home through these openings.
If a homeowner discovers that their home is infested by thieving ants, they should get in touch with a qualified exterminator as soon as possible for assistance in removing the pests.
Finally, consider employing the services of a certified pest control expert as the most effective approach for preventing thief ants from your home.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have provided you with solutions to your problem regarding how to get rid of thief ants; nevertheless, as you have seen, it is not all that difficult and costs less than you could have anticipated.
Let us know in the comment box if you need any clarification, contributions, questions answered, assistance, support, or anything else related to ants, and we will do our best to serve you.
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