Thief Ants

What do thief ants look like?

Thief ants are one of the smallest types of house-infesting ants. Adults grow to be less than 1/16 of an inch in length. They can be pale yellow, light brown, or dark brown and have a smooth, shiny appearance. Their body segments are unevenly rounded and the thorax lacks spines. They also have a 10-segmented antenna that ends in a 2-segmented club.

Where are thief ants found?

Outside, thief ants are found nesting in open soil or underneath trash, pieces of rotten wood, fallen trees, and in tree cavities. Thief ants tend to create their nests near other ant nests so that they can create very tiny tunnels to connect the nests. The thief ants then enter the other nest and steal their larvae and pupae to use as a food source for their own colony.

Thief ants tend to enter Quad City homes and other structures when the weather outside becomes very hot. They move inside to forage for food. Inside, thief ants use your home’s wires as their own personal highway, moving along them from room to room. If they decide to stay and nest within your home, they can be found in small crevices, underneath floors, and behind baseboards.

What do thief ants eat?

Thief ants prefer to feed on food that is high in protein or greasy. Outside, they can be found feeding on basically anything that is organic, such as other insects, mealybugs, and seeds. Inside homes, they will feed on meats, dairy products, animal fats, oils, bread, nuts, and grease; and while it is not their first choice, they will also eat sweet items like fruit.

Contact Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators! We Are Ready to Help

A member of our team will be in touch shortly to confirm your contact details or address questions you may have.

Proudly Serving Customers Across Central Illinois & The Quad Cities Areas We Serve

DIY thief ant prevention and control tips

Taking the following actions will help you to prevent thief ants from invading your home and property.

  • Remove piles of organic debris and trash from your property.
  • Store woodpiles up off the ground and a distance away from the exterior of your building.
  • Place outdoor trash cans with tight-fitting lids away from the outside of your home until trash pick-up day.
  • Seal cracks and crevices found in your home’s foundation, caulk gaps around windows and doors, seal the spaces found around pipes and wires that enter into your home, and install door sweeps underneath all exterior doors.
  • Wash dirty dishes, and quickly clean up spills and crumbs from floors and counters.
  • Place food in air-tight containers. Don’t leave food out in the open in kitchen or pantry areas.

Professional thief ant control

For help getting rid of thief ants, Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators is the best choice. Our Home Guardian ℠ Service targets ants and other household pests that are common to our region. If you’re looking for effective pest control solutions for your home or commercial property, please contact us today!

Why Choose Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators?

  • A Category of One
    There are plenty of pest control companies out there, but there is only one pest eliminator. We don't want to control the pests in your home or business, we want them gone forever. Call us today to get rid of your pest problem for the last time!
  • Guaranteed Service
    Our local, family-owned pest control company is committed to friendly service, effective solutions, and 100% customer satisfaction! If you need pest control in Central Illinois and the Quad Cities, we are ready to help!
  • Effective Solutions
    For over 95 years, Quik-Kill has been perfecting our craft and developing our skills to deliver the best results! Our services include residential pest control, rodent control, mosquito control, and more!
  • Sudden Service
    We understand how important dependable service is to you, and we make every effort to respond to your pest problems quickly! How soon can your tech come out? Contact us to get started!

Connect with Us Request a Free Estimate

  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please lookup your address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.
  • By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy
    "We highly recommend him and Quick Kill!"
    Jim is very knowledgeable and courteous! He accommodated our schedule last minute and we appreciate him! He knows his pests and is very helpful at eliminating them from our property!
    - Sue W.
    "No More Bugs!"
    We’ve dealt with Orkin and they were inefficient, unresponsive, and lacked good customer service. Jeff is thorough, polite, and punctual. We also like that they can check for bed bugs.
    - Jeff S.
    "Quick-Kill is a great company"
    The technicians are polite and very knowledgeable. They keep us updated if they will be running early or late for the service visit. I would definitely recommend them to anyone.
    - Randy B.
    "Professional & Courteous"
    Jim is always pleasant to work with every time he is on campus. He tries to do the best he can to eliminate all of our problems and if he can't he finds someone who can help.
    - Gerilynn S.
    "No More Bugs!"
    We’ve dealt with Orkin and they were inefficient, unresponsive, and lacked good customer service. Jeff is thorough, polite, and punctual. We also like that they can check for bed bugs.
    - Jeff S.

Blog Feed Latest News & Updates

Unveiling the Secrets to a Pest-Free Living in Central Illinois & The Quad Cities.

FREE Inspection
Learn More
Where We Service
Learn More