Don’t Let Tawny Crazy Ants Invade

If you’ve noticed swarms of ants moving in erratic patterns, you might be dealing with tawny crazy ants. These invasive pests are a growing nuisance across the southern US. Tawny crazy ants can invade homes and yards, damage property, and take resources from native insects. Learn how to identify crazy ants and retaliate against them!

What Are Crazy Ants?

Tawny crazy ants, also known as Nylanderia fulva or rasberry crazy ants, are insects native to South America that have spread to other countries. They are a major invasive pest in Texas, Florida, and the Gulf Coast region.

What do crazy ants look like? They are small (only about 1/8 inch long) and reddish-brown or black, with long legs and antennae. Unlike many types of ants, crazy ants don’t follow each other in orderly trails. They have disorganized movement patterns that allow them to cover a lot of ground while scouting for resources.

Crazy Ant Behavior Facts

Do crazy ants bite?

Yes, but a tawny crazy ant bite is generally considered harmless to humans. Unlike fire ants, they don’t sting, and their bites rarely cause significant pain or allergic reactions. Most people describe the bite as mildly irritating, if it’s felt at all. The real problem with a rasberry crazy ant infestation isn’t their ability to bite; it’s their large numbers and tendency to damage homes and yards.

What do crazy ants eat?

They have a diverse diet of honeydew (a sweet substance excreted by insects like aphids), fruits, plant nectar, and other insects like caterpillars and beetles. Crazy ants hunt live insects and scavenge for dead insects and small animals. They are considered opportunistic feeders that will eat whatever is available. 

What habitat do crazy ants live in?

Invasive crazy ants prefer warm, moist, and hidden environments, so they are commonly found under rocks, mulch, leaf litter, and inside walls or electrical boxes. Crazy tawny ants in a house or yard are more active at night, so consider looking for movement once it’s dark out.

Why are crazy ants attracted to electronics?

They are attracted to the warmth of electrical equipment and will chew through insulation and electrical wires to create their nests in computers, AC units, electrical boxes, and more.

Why They Are a Problem

Rasberry crazy ants are a serious problem because their massive colony sizes make them difficult to manage once they’ve invaded. Crazy ant damage is no joke. They hurt ecosystems by preying on beneficial insects and taking resources from native insects. They cause significant economic losses by damaging fruit crops. And they cause lawn damage, electrical damage, and other problems at residential and commercial properties.

These ants’ reproduction and survival strategy is strong. Multiple queens live within a single colony, so they can rapidly increase their numbers. They create supercolonies by connecting multiple colonies and sharing resources.

Read more: The Different Types of Ants That Could Be in Your Home

How to Get Rid of Crazy Ants

Getting rid of tawny crazy ants can be difficult, due to multiple queens residing in each supercolony. Over-the-counter sprays and bait traps are often ineffective. The best way to control crazy ants is with professional crazy ant pest control services. At Mosquito Squad Plus^®, we strategically target these pests in current and potential nesting areas outside. We also spray crazy ant treatments around your home’s perimeter and suspected entry points. Our spray helps kill crazy ant colonies on contact and then deters them for up to 21 days after treatment.

Along with seeking professional treatments, you can take these preventative measures:

›       Seal cracks around doors and windows

›       Keep electrical components covered

›       Clear yard debris

›       Protect fruit trees with scents such as coffee grounds or cinnamon, or with sticky barriers and guards

›       Use dehumidifiers indoors

›       Keep food stored securely indoors

Control Crazy Ants with Local Support

Don’t wait to get professional tawny crazy ant control! Stop them before they form a supercolony. To resolve any type of ant invasion, you can rely on our effective ant treatments.

Call your local Squad^® at (877) 332-2239 or request a cost-free quote online for the best treatment for crazy ants!