In Texas, there are eight common species of ants found in the area alone. Everyone has come into contact with at least one type of ant but more likely many. Chances are you have met quite a few different ones with over 12,000 species. We at A Five Star Termite and Pest Control would like to expound on them. One of the common ants found throughout Texas is the Crazy Ant. This particular species is wildly invasive and with dense populations, their infestation is of epic proportions. Crazy ants are referenced by many different names that include tawny crazy ant, raspberry ant, and hair crazy ant. However, their bizarre attraction to electrical equipment is what has people scratching their heads, their frantic and erratic movement is how crazy ants earned their name. Crazy ants cause an estimated $146 million in electrical damages a year. Releasing excessive pheromones in the air, leading to a domino effect where more ants get electrocuted, attracting another wave of crazy ants to come to the scene and rush onto to the battlefield. It will cause the entire electrical system to short out, when the dead ants pile up.
How to Identify Crazy Ants
There are a few distinct characteristics crazy ants are identified with that include the following:
– Reddish-brown coloring.
– What is known as an acidopore, a small round terminal orifice that contains venom is surrounded by a ring of hairs.
– Their bites deliver the venom, is absent a stinger.
– Rapid erratic movement.
– Tiny measurements approximately 1/8” in length.
– Long course hairs scattered on their bodies.
– Both male and female feature wings, though females shed wings after mating. Though they have wings they rarely fly.
Where Do Crazy Ants Live?
Crazy ants are very adaptable and live in both dry and moist climates. Crazy ants live in tree cavities, plants, soil found under clutter or stones, yard clippings, and inside electrical equipment, as they break from the traditional mounds or nests that other species of ant’s construct. They often seek refuge inside buildings as they cannot survive in cold climates when the weather changes. Each has a surprising number of queens though the individual crazy ant colonies tend to be small. Crazy ants quickly develop super colonies that quickly multiply from a few thousand ants to millions of ants since there are so many queens. From where they live, crazy ants will forage a considerable distance. These ants are omnivorous feeding on living and dead insects, fruits, plant secretions, honeydew, seeds and a number of household edibles including grease, meats, sweets, produce, and liquids, randomly and rapidly searching for food.
Ant Inspections, Treatment, Control & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
Especially before they manage to cause damage to electrical systems because of their habits and numbers, crazy ants can be a challenge to remove from your home or business. It is highly recommended you call for professional assistance if you believe you have crazy ants inside your home or business. To thoroughly remove the threat of crazy ants, call A Five Star Termite and Pest Control to deliver quality and effective pest control services.
