Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: [appraising the ruination of a trailer] This wasn't caved in, it was caved out.

Robert Graham: And I thought today was the end of them.
Dr. Harold Medford: No. We haven't seen the end of them. We've only had a close view of the beginning of what may be the end of us.

Robert Graham: Is's the only job you ever had?
Railroad Yard Watchman: Yes, sir. I've been with the railroad thirty years and never a blot against my record.
Robert Graham: Well, the yard cop seems to think you made a deal not to see that car broken into.
Railroad Yard Watchman: Pfah! What kind of sense does that make? Is sugar a rare cargo? Is there a black market for it? Did you ever hear of a fence for hot sugar? If I was gonna make a deal with crooks to steal somethin', it wouldn't be for forty tons of sugar. And I'll swear I didn't hear a thing Friday night.

Dr. Harold Medford: [addressing a group of government officials] That, gentlemen, is why you are here - to consider this problem and, I hope, solve it. Because unless you solve it, unless these queens are located and destroyed before they've established thriving colonies and can produce, heaven alone knows, how many more queen ants, man, as the dominant species of life on earth, will probably be extinct within...
[looking at another scientist]
Dr. Harold Medford: a year, Doc?

Dr. Harold Medford: [over the helicopter headset] Search Able to Search Baker.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Say "Over."
Dr. Harold Medford: Huh?
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Then say "Over."
Dr. Harold Medford: "Over?"
Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: Medford in Baker to Medford in Able: Go ahead, Dad. Over.
Dr. Harold Medford: Have you found anything yet?
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Say "Over."
Dr. Harold Medford: I just said it.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: I know. Say it again.
Dr. Harold Medford: Oh. "Over!"
Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: Baker to Able: Not yet. We're about three quarters of the way across our sector. We're now at coordinates Charlie-Six. Over.
Dr. Harold Medford: Well, don't pass up any possibilities. Let me know the moment you find ANYTHING.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: If you're finished, say "Over and out."
Dr. Harold Medford: But she KNOWS I'm through talking with her.
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: I know she does, Doctor. It's a rule, though. You gotta say it.
Dr. Harold Medford: [irritated] Ah...
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Isn't that right, General?
Brig. Gen. Robert O'Brien: Right, Sergeant.
Dr. Harold Medford: This is ridiculous! A lot of good your rules are gonna do us if we don't locate the...
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: [over the headset] Over and out.
Dr. Harold Medford: Oh, now you're happy.

Dr. Harold Medford: Get the antennae! Get the antennae!

Dr. Harold Medford: None of the ants previously seen by man were more than an inch in length - most considerably under that size. But even the most minute of them have an instinct and talent for industry, social organization, and savagery that makes man look feeble by comparison.

Dr. Harold Medford: We may be witnesses to a Biblical prophecy come true - 'And there shall be destruction and darkness come upon creation, and the beasts shall reign over the earth.'

Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: [observing the tunnel walls] Look! Held together with saliva!
Police Sgt. Ben Peterson: Yeah! Spit's all that's holding me together right now, too.

Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: Now destroy everything in here. Burn it.
Robert Graham: What?
Dr. Patricia 'Pat' Medford: I said "Burn it!" Burn EVERYTHING!