There are over 12,000 species and chances are you have met quite a few different types of ants. In Texas, there are many different species, but some are more commonly found. Crazy ants are among the most common types of ants that are likely to be found along with Texas properties and today, we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to take the opportunity to elaborate on them.
Crazy Ants in Electronics & Electrical Appliances
Crazy ants are known under a few aliases including raspberry crazy ant and tawny crazy ant. Their infestation is notorious for being of epic proportions because this particular species is wildly invasive and has a rather dense population. Crazy ants earned their name because of their frantic and erratic movement in addition to the bizarre attraction to electrical equipment they seem to have. These ants are responsible for an estimated $146 million in electrical damages a year. When the crazy ants that suffer electrocution from the electronics, they release pheromone scents, this signals other crazy ants to rush onto the battlefield, causing more electrocution, and more pheromones to be released, continuing the domino effect. As the waves of crazy ants continue to pile up on the entire electrical system shorts out.
How to Identify Crazy Ants
There are a few distinct characteristics that help identify crazy ants. Crazy ants are typically reddish-brown, and are fairly tiny, measuring about 1/8 of an inch long. These ants have long coarse hairs scattered along with their bodies, and though both males and females have wings, they females shed them after mating, and they rarely fly. Known as an acid pore, crazy ants have a small round terminal orifice that contains venom is surrounded by a ring of hairs. Though they lack a stinger, they do deliver venom when they bite, and as mentioned, they have repaid erratic movement.
Raspberry Crazy Ant Habitat
Crazy ants are adaptable insects and easily survive in both dry and moist climates. Crazy ants live in tree cavities, plants, soil found beneath clutter or stones, yard clippings, and inside electrical equipment, as a break from the traditional ant mound or nests. Cold climates are challenging for crazy ants, so as the temperatures drop, these ants will find refuge indoors. Each of these ant colonies has a number of queens and quickly develop supercolonies that quickly multiply from a few thousand ants to millions of ants.
What Do Crazy Ants Eat?
From where they live, crazy ants will look for food at considerable distances. They are omnivorous and frequently include grease, meats, sweets, produce, and liquids when living close to humans and in the wild, they feast on the living and dead insects, honeydew, fruits, plant secretions, and seeds.
Ant Inspections, Control & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
Crazy ants can be challenging to remove from your home or business, especially before they manage to cause substantial damage to any electrical systems, due to their habits and numbers. If you suspect crazy ants have invaded your Texas home, it is in your better interest to call in the experts of efficient removal. A-Tex Pest Management certified technicians have the tools and expertise to eliminate crazy ants, call us today to get started!