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Grease Ants

Grease ants are one of the smallest species of ants, measuring only one millimeter in length. Grease ants are also known as "thief ants" because they nest close to other ant colonies and steal their larvae.

As their name suggests, grease ants prefer greasy foods such as meats, nuts, cheeses, peanut butter and sweets. However, grease ants will eat almost anything, and due to their small size, they can easily fit inside of food containers.

Grease ants are commonly confused with the pharaoh ant because of their similar appearances. However, grease ants have distinct external features and well-defined trails that can easily distinguish them from other ant species. Worker grease ants are shiny and measure approximately 1/20- inch long, with yellow to light or dark brown bodies. The bodies of grease ants tend to curl when they die. They have two nodes, a thorax without spines, small compound eyes, ten segmented antennae and antennal clubs with two segments.

Mating swarms appear from July to September, but grease ant infestation is most common in the summer, when they forage indoors for food. When a colony of grease ants identifies a reliable food source within a kitchen, their infestation can be persistent. Grease ant nests can be difficult to locate. They are typically found in rotting wood and soil, but grease ants can also nest indoors in wall or cabinet crevices, baseboards, under countertops and in other hidden areas.

If a group of foraging insects is found inside your home, it is possible to follow their trail to locate the nest. However, due to the extremely small size of the grease ant, this is not always possible, and the most effective way to halt an infestation is to contact a local pest control professional.