The ants are both diurnal and nocturnal and forage on trees, in low vegetation and into human homes, where they are regarded as pests.

These ants eat a variety of foods, including fruits, insects, sucrose, nectar and bird feces.

The thorny devil, an Australian lizard, predominantly feeds on Ochetellus workers, and other ant species also prey on them.

[2][3] The type species of the genus is Ochetellus glaber, originally described as Hypoclinea glabra by Austrian entomologist Gustav Mayr in 1862.

[16] The ant has also been introduced to mainland United States, being found in north-central Florida,[17] where it is localised in Orange County.

[18] Ants of this genus are eurychoric; they have a widespread geographic distribution in many different climates, but they are usually found in dry and mesic habitats.

[17][21] Ochetellus flavipes nesting habits are unique among Australian ants, and they construct small runways across the ground.

Ochetellus ants are omnivores that feed primarily on arthropods, but they show a preference for fluids and sweets when they enter human houses.

[21] Workers will prey on Ornithoptera richmondia eggs, fruit fly pupae, Plutella larvae and attack wasp nests.

[17][20][25] Honeydew, nectar, Pacific reef heron feces, carrion, Pandanus fruits, plants, seeds, sucrose, fats and grease will also be consumed.

[33] The total number of ants consumed in a day can be as many as 2,500 individuals, based on an examination of the lizard's stomach contents.