Learn all about grease ant’s pictures bait, bite, elimination and borax.
Grease ants are one of the smallest groups of ants, measuring only 1.5 to 2.2 mm in length. Grease ants are also known as “thief ants” because they nest close to other ant colonies and steal their food and young. Worker grease ants are shiny and measure approximately 1.5 to 2.2 mm in length, 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, antennae with 10 segments and antennal clubs with two segments. Grease ants are commonly confused with the pharaoh ant, but pharaoh ants have a three-segmented antennal club.
Grease ant colonies are generally small in size, perhaps because of their thieving nature. However, a single colony can have a number of queens. This ant most commonly enters homes in mid to late summer.
In order to get rid of grease ants, use gel bait that will eliminate the ants when they feed on the bait. Learn about granular baits that kill ants after the granules are carried back to the nest with help from a certified pest control operator in this free video on getting rid of ants.
What is Grease Ant?
Grease ant is a name commonly used for one of the smallest ants found in homes in Iowa. These ants are technically known as thief ants. They are very small; only l to l.5 mm (1/16th inch) long. They are smooth and shiny and may be yellow to light or dark brown. Indoors, these ants nest in cracks and crevices of walls and cabinets, under floors and behind baseboards. The nests are frequently difficult to locate since the ants travel great distances in search of food. Though they will eat almost anything, these ants prefer to eat grease, fats and meats. Grease ants form a trail from the food to the nest and the moving columns of ants can be located with careful inspection.
Grease Ants Pictures
Grease Ants Bait
Ant baits, whether homemade or commercial, are the treatment of choice for eliminating kitchen infestations. Ant-killing bait combines a desirable ant food with a pesticide. Worker ants carry the food back to the nest, where the pesticide works on the entire colony. You can make an effective ant killer using boric acid, a low toxicity pesticide available in hardware stores and pharmacies. Grease ants, also referred to as protein-loving ants prefer proteins or fats over sugars. This doesn’t mean they won’t eat sweets, but they’re more interested in food with some protein content in it. Grease ants include little black ants, big-headed ants, and pavement ants, among others.
Grease Ants Bite
Grease ants have stingers but due to their small size stingers aren’t strong enough to pierce human skin or powerful enough to cause harm to humans. The most sensitive people, however could possibly, though not likely, get stung by an army of grease ants in a potato chip or other greasy snack food bag or while taking out a trash bag infested with grease ants
Grease Ants Elimination
Thief ants, more commonly known as grease ants, can get into almost any container because of their small size. They eat almost anything, but are particularly attracted to greasy foods such as peanut butter, meat and cheese. In other words, if you have a meat lover’s pizza lying around for long enough, this kind of ant would have a feast. You need to identify this ant correctly in order to get the right kind of bait, so learn how to differentiate these ants from other common household ants. Sometimes there are several food sources, that’s why it’s important to clean the area thoroughly before you attempt to get rid of the ant problem. Wipe all surfaces down with bleach and water spray to make sure you eliminate all traces of grease.
Grease Ants Borax
Grease ant borax can be made by following instructions
• Mix 1/2 C sugar, 1 1/2 Tbsp. Borax, and 1.5 C warm water.
• Soak cotton balls in the mixture, and put them out near the mess of ants.
The sugar attracts the ants, and they’ll take the Borax with it back to their home
Grease Ants vs Sugar Ants
Sugar ants are those which love all things sweet. Depending on your location, these types of ants can vary greatly. Some of the more common sugar ants are the field ant, pavement ant, pharaoh ant and the carpenter ant.
Protein ants (also known as grease ants) tend to consume protein instead of sugar. But this does not mean they won’t eat sugar. The Fire ant has largely a protein based diet and sugar based baits won’t work well. But the pavement ants and carpenter ants will eat sugar, but prefer foods which have some protein in it.
