Black Crazy Ant Information
Crazy ants look and act a little crazy, which explains how they got their name. These ants thrive in warm conditions and are a well-known pest throughout the United States. They can be difficult to control because of their long-distance foraging habits, but they are not known as a harmful household pest.
Appearance:
Distinguishable by their unusually long legs and antennae, in comparison to their small size, black crazy ants are approximately 1/8” long. They are uniformly black in color. Their name derives from the mis-directional manner of their movements when they are disturbed by an outside presence.
Location & Behavior Patterns:
Black crazy ants tend to nest outdoors, usually under rocks, mulch, or leaves. They can enter buildings, usually through cracks in the foundation, or around windows and doors. Once indoors, they are attracted to sweet items, such as food left on the counter or in a pantry. They may also be found in trails along the edge of a baseboard or along the edge of a carpet. Note that a trail of black crazy ants is usually loosely organized and the ants seem to be wandering some of the time.
How to Identify Crazy Ant
The crazy ant is usually dark brown or black in coloring, but gray and dark red crazy ants have also been spotted. These ants are quite small, measuring just 1/16 to ⅛ of an inch in length. They have long antennae and legs that give them a unique – or crazy – appearance, and their behavior is best described as erratic. They don’t follow a set trail like other ant species, and instead run around in inconsistent patterns to find food.
Problems they Cause
As a household pest, crazy ants are fairly tame. They are a nuisance and they will eat food that is left unattended, but they cause no real damage. Agriculturally, however, crazy ants can cause serious problems. These ants can cause significant impacts to crops and plants because they are known to spread or promote other damaging insects, such as aphids and mealybugs.
Seasonality
Crazy ants cannot handle cold, harsh weather and will look for indoor shelter during the winter months. However, the mild winters in Florida mean that crazy ants can remain active throughout the year.
Treatment:
Black crazy ants are a nuisance pest and are not harmful to people or property; however, they are very popular in Florida and can be very troublesome for a property owner. Regular inspections and direct treatment to the black crazy ants’ nest is the best way to deal with this particular ant. They are not attracted to ant bait generally, so treating them regularly, and as early as they are detected, is the best preventative method for taking care of this pest.
FAQs
Are crazy ants harmful?
Crazy ants are harmful to you and your household both directly and indirectly. They bite humans and pets, and even though the sting from their bites doesn’t last long, they pose a significant threat to other areas of your life. Crazy ants can eat into your electronics and electrical connections and cause a breach and short-circuit that can result in electrical accidents and damage.
How do you get rid of crazy ants in Florida?
Getting rid of crazy ants in Florida takes an arduous process. This is because these ants don’t have a specific habitat in your home. They can live inside and outside in the soil, wooden structures, foundation, and inside electronics. It takes the help of a dedicated pest control expert to rid your home of these hazardous pests.
Do crazy ants bite humans?
Crazy ants bite humans and pets when they feel threatened. However, their sting usually wears off in a matter of minutes and hardly leaves any raised bumps.
Are crazy ants hard to get rid of?
Crazy ants are some of the most difficult ant species to eliminate. If you love a good DIY experience, this is probably not one you should try. Crazy ants are hard to eliminate because they are scattered all over your living space once they invade.
What are crazy ants attracted to?
Crazy ants eat anything that contains protein. They can feed on animal matter, grease, honeydew, fruits, and plants. They also feed on other insects, dead or alive. This is why it is important to call a professional pest control company to rid your home of all insects, as the presence of other insiects can attract crazy ants to your home.
