Thief Ant
Solenopsis molesta
About the thief ant
Thief ants get their name from their unusual habit: they nest right next to other ant colonies and 'steal' the larvae and pupae to feed their own brood. They're tiny — easy to mistake for pharaoh ants — but they tend to prefer greasy and high-protein foods over sweets, which is one way to tell them apart. Indoors they're a kitchen nuisance that contaminates food; outdoors they nest in wall voids, soil, and masonry.
Quick ID
1.5–2 mm pale yellow to light brown body; very small with two-segment waist.
In the Triangle
Less common than odorous house ants but show up in older Triangle homes with mixed ant pressure.
Think you have thief ants?
Free inspection from a licensed Castle Exterminators technician — Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Cary & the Triangle. We'll confirm the species and recommend a treatment plan.
Request Free Inspection (919) 606-8686
