How to get rid of grease ants in a restaurant kitchen

"I keep finding tiny ants near the fryer. How do I get rid of grease ants?"

Grease ants, sometimes called thief ants, are one of the smallest common ant species, often measuring less than a tenth of an inch. As their name suggests, grease ants are drawn to oily, fatty, and protein-rich foods, which makes commercial kitchens, with their fryers, grills, and food prep surfaces, an ideal target.

To start with, it helps to understand what's drawing them in. Even small amounts of grease buildup around equipment, cracks in baseboards, or crumbs behind appliances can be enough to sustain a colony. These steps can help prevent further infestations:

• Wiping down grease traps, fryer surfaces, and grill backsplashes at the end of every shift
• Sealing visible gaps around baseboards, pipe entries, and equipment bases
• Storing high-fat ingredients, like bacon, butter, and oils, in tightly sealed containers
• Taking out grease trap waste and kitchen trash daily rather than letting it sit overnight
• Checking behind and underneath heavy equipment, where crumbs and grease tend to collect unnoticed

This can help limit what's drawing grease ants in, but cleaning alone rarely solves an established infestation for long. The best way to get rid of grease ants in a working kitchen is a targeted, professional approach.

Our Presto-X technicians can identify the species, locate the source of activity, and apply baiting strategies suited to a grease ant's diet, paired with sanitation recommendations. Our ant control services are built around commercial kitchens and food service standards, and we also offer restaurant and bar pest control programs designed to keep your operation audit-ready year-round.