Crazy ants first appeared in Houston in 2002 and have been spreading every since. They are now found in 23 counties. Crazy ants are also called tawny ants as well as Rasberry ants after the exterminator that first discovered them.
Crazy Ant Identification
Crazy ants are 1/8-inch long and reddish brown in color with tiny hairs on their bodies. Crazy ants have legs and antennae that are longer in proportion to their bodies when compared to other ants. They do bite but with very little venom, you’ll only feel a slight sting. They may be small in size, but colonies can number in the millions because they clone the queen and her mates, so they can mate at a faster rate. This can be problematic for wildlife and our property. They are so invasive that they can displace other ant species and affect birds and honeybees. These ants are known to crawl into televisions, appliances and other electronic devices. Industrial sites and residential areas can be negatively impacted by crazy ants because they can short-circuit electronics. Are they attracted to the electricity? There’s no proof of it, but who knows?
Where Do Crazy Ants Live & What Do They Eat?
Their small size makes it easy for them to nest in small cracks, crevices and voids. Outside they can be found in soil that is damp, tree stumps, under rocks, compost, garbage and potted plants. They have no problem and will adapt to dry conditions. Nests can be located far from a structure they have infested because they will travel far to look for food. Crazy ants are predators, foragers and scavengers. They will eat just about anything they find from proteins, sweets, grease and even other insects, dead or alive.
How to Prevent an Infestation of Crazy Ants
The best way to avoid dealing with any ants is to prevent an infestation. Steps you can take to keep ants out of your home include: sealing any cracks and crevices that they will use to get inside, especially in the kitchen and other areas where food is prepped and stored, eliminate any sources of moisture from leaky pipes or broken sprinkler head, make sure food items are sealed tightly, clean up spills right away and take the trash out regularly. Little is known about crazy ants and because they are newer to the region, they can be more difficult to control. Trying to take care of an infestation on your own will leave you frustrated. They will avoid many different baits and options that are typically used for other ants just don’t seem to work for crazy ants. It’s imperative to contact professional pest control to take eliminate an infestation and prevent one in the future.
Ant Pest Inspections, 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
Ants are a pain to deal with and with such large colonies, an infestation of crazy ants is more than a nuisance, it can be a big problem. If you’re dealing with ants or any other pests, call A Five Star Termite & Pest Control.
