The workers and queens live for several years. Individuals from different colonies are not hostile to one another and workers normally move along trails. Inside, these ants usually construct their nests in wall voids especially around hot water pipes and heaters, in crevices around sinks, cupboards, etc. These ants prefer sweets but also eat foods with high content and grease such as meats and cheese. Outside, they are often found in the nest of larger ants, in exposed soil, but mostly under objects.
Workers feed on insects, seek honeydew and plant secretions, and even feed on seeds.
They are most likely to enter buildings when their honeydew supply is reduced such as during rainy weather or with leaf fall in the autumn. Use of boric acid dust in the voids of outside ground-floor walls and infested interior walls along with barrier treatment is effective. Baiting is often required.