Insects, Spiders, Mice & More
Thief Ant ID
Return to:
Thief Ant (also called "Grease Ant") (Solenopsis molesta)
Description of Workers: Tiny, around 1/32-inch to 1/16-inch (1-1.5 mm); yellowish; often confused with Pharoah ant, but has 2 segments in the club-like structure at the end of the antenna (Pharoah ant has 3 segments).
Habits:
Thief ants often live in association with other ants as a predator of their brood. These ants are omnivorous and prefer grease or high protein foods over sweets. This is a frequent house-invading ant and may nest indoors in cracks and cupboards. Thief ants are more likely to have an indoor nest than the Pharoah ant.
Management:
Treat with an appropriate product based on the location of the ants. Baits are not effective.
View Thief Ant Photos - UNL Department of Entomology
View & Print Free Ant Identification Keys
- One-Node Ants (770 KB)
- Two-Node Ants (805 KB)
Return to Ant Identification Resources
This resource was updated November 2015 by Soni Cochran, Extension Associate
- Credits: Ant illustrations were developed by Vicki Jedlicka, Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County
- Photo Courtesy of http://www.antweb.org. Photographer: April Nobile
For information on reproducing this article or using any photographs or graphics, read the Terms of Use statement
Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County is your on-line educational resource. The information on this Web site is valid for residents of southeastern Nebraska. It may or may not apply in your area. If you live outside southeastern Nebraska, visit your local Extension office