Across Texas, there is an assortment of ant species. With ants being a common house intruder, most people can identify an ant, though the species may not be obvious. Among the types of ants in the area, crazy ants are in the area. Today, we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to take the opportunity to discuss some of the fundamentals surrounding crazy ants.
Why are Crazy Ants Named That?
There are a few aliases that the crazy ants are known by and they include hair crazy ant, Rasberry ant, and tawny crazy ant. Because this particular species is wildly invasive and has a rather dense population, their infestation is notorious for growing to epic proportions. In addition to the bizarre attraction to electrical equipment they seem to have, crazy ants earned their name because of their frantic and erratic movement. It is unknown why colonies of crazy ants are attracted to electrical equipment. They may sense the magnetic fields that surround electrical wires or perhaps the warmth produced by resistance to the currents in the wires. An estimated $146 million in electrical damages a year the crazy ants are responsible for. From the electronics, crazy ants that suffer electrocution and pheromone scents are released, which signals other crazy ants to rush onto the battlefield, causing more electrocution, and more pheromones to be released, continuing the domino effect. The entire electrical system shorts out when the waves of crazy ants continue to pile up on the entire electrical system.
How to Identify Crazy Ants
To help identify crazy ants, there are a few distinct characteristics that help. Measuring about 1/8 of an inch long, crazy ants are typically reddish-brown, and are fairly tiny. Though both males and females have wings, the females shed them after mating, and they rarely fly. These ants have long coarse hairs scattered along with their bodies. Crazy ants have a small round terminal orifice that contains venom surrounded by a ring of hairs known as an acid pore. Crazy ants do bite but not sting.
Where Do Crazy Ants Live & What Do They Eat?
In both dry and moist climates, crazy ants can survive since they are very adaptable insects. Rather than the traditional ant mound or nests, crazy ants can be found living in plants, soil found beneath clutter or stones, tree cavities, yard clippings, and inside electrical equipment. These ants will find refuge indoors because as the temperature drops because cold climates are challenging for crazy ants. They quickly develop supercolonies that quickly multiply from a few thousand ants to millions of ants since each colony has multiple queens. Crazy ants will look for food at considerable distances from where their nest is. When living close to humans and in the wild, they feast on honeydew, fruits, plant secretions, and seeds, as well as living and dead insects, in addition to grease, meats, sweets, produce, and liquids since they are omnivorous.
Ant Inspections, Control & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
Due to their habits and numbers, especially before they manage to cause substantial damage to any electrical systems, crazy ants can be challenging to remove from your home or business. It is in your better interest to call in the experts of efficient removal if you suspect crazy ants have invaded your Texas home. Armed with the expertise and effective products, A-Tex Pest Management certified technicians can eliminate the ants invading your home.