Crazy Ants
Crazy ants are invasive tramp ants that have made their way into the United States. First in Florida, than Texas, and now various species of crazy ants are making their way up and westward towards California. Not all species of crazy ants have invaded the U. S. – not yet. The name “crazy ant,” refers to the erratic behavior of these ants. These ants are unlike other species of ants that usually create long trails. Crazy ants appear to be just that, crazy – they move to and fro in fast, jerky sideway movements, with seemingly no sense of direction.Crazy Ant Invasion
What would happen if crazy ants invaded California? We already deal with a super-colony of Argentine ants…..what if these two species met? Would there be a war and who would win? The Longhorn, also known as the Black crazy ant, has already made its way into certain parts California. In San Francisco, crazy ants were found in the kitchen of a hotel; in Los Angeles and San Diego, crazy ants have introduced themselves to limited areas of both counties.Video of Crazy Ants in a Pile of Leaves
Crazy ants are currently displacing native ants and invasive fire ants; some people actually prefer the fire ant, at least fire ants build mounds outside whereas crazy ants not only come indoors as pests but search out electrical systems, causing millions of dollars in damage. Imagine a traffic light system infested with crazy ants……or a medical facility……..
Tawny crazy ants (AKA Rasberry crazy ants) invaded and destroyed the wiring in this electrical unit.
Crazy Ant Behavior
Why do ants get into electrical systems? Most ants go for sweets or fats. Crazy ants also like sweets and feed on insects, as well as small vertebrates; however, they like to chew on wires too. Some say they are attracted to the magnetic fields surrounding electrical currents, while others claim it´s the warmth that attracts them.
Ants invaded this motor box of an electrical gate belonging to a Hearts Pest Management client in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. The ants destroyed the mother board of the box and the entire part had to be replaced. It is not known whether these ants were crazy ants.
Controlling Crazy Ants
Crazy ants are harder to control because of their multiple queens which leads to large colonies with massive amounts of ants. And, their nests are outdoors, far away from their foraging areas. Crazy ants cannot be controlled by over the counter products and are not attracted to ordinary baits. Some of the ways Texas, Florida, and other states are trying to control crazy ants is to limit landscape irrigation; crazy ants prefer humid, wet conditions so improving drainage and repairs to irrigation systems can help. Since there are no over-the-counter products to treat for crazy ants, a professional pest service technician will need to be called in and may require more than one treatment. Afterwards, it is recommended to sweep up the piles of dead ants and then treat the surface underneath again.Crazy Ants Impact on Wildlife and the Ecosystem
It is not known yet just how much of an effect crazy ants have on our wildlife. We do know that these ants are competing over resources with both native and other invasive ant species but now, it has become increasingly alarming as to how their presence may disturb threatened species and alter our ecosystem. Nesting songbirds, ground and tree nesting birds, as well as small animals are irritated by the masses of crazy ants that can cover an area. Crazy ants don´t sting like fire ants but they bite and spray. In domestic animals such as cattle, crazy ants will attack the eyes, noses and hooves. And, in regard to humans…… people are being driven out of their backyards because of the crazy ant invasion.Types of Crazy Ants
There are several species of crazy ants, some are the same but are called different names. The ants that have made their way into U.S. soil (including Hawaii) are the Longhorn Crazy Ants (Black Crazy Ants); Tawny Crazy Ants (Rasberry and Caribbean Crazy Ants); and the Yellow Crazy Ant. Even though the Yellow crazy ant hasn´t arrived on the mainland, it could very well travel by freight or in someone´s luggage. Below is more information on the individual crazy ant species: Longhorn Crazy Ants Tawny (Rasberry) Crazy Ants Yellow Crazy AntsLocations
City Services for Pest Control in Los Angeles
Agoura Hills | Northridge | |
Alhambra | Pacific Palisades | |
Arcadia | Palos Verdes Estates | |
Beverly Hills | Pasadena | |
Burbank | Pomona | |
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Cerritos | Redondo Beach | |
City of Industry | Reseda | |
City of Los Angeles | Rolling Hills Estates | |
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Encino | Temple City | |
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Long Beach | West Los Angeles | |
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Manhattan Beach | Whittier | |
Marina Del Rey | Woodland Hills | |
North Hollywood | ||
City Services for Pest Control in Orange County
Aliso Viejo | Laguna Hills | |
Anaheim | Laguna Niguel | |
Brea | Lake Forest | |
Buena Park | Los Alamitos | |
Capistrano Beach | Mission Viejo | |
City of Orange | Newport Beach | |
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La Habra | Westminster | |
Laguna Beach | Yorba Linda | |
City Services for Pest Control in San Diego
4S Ranch | Rancho Penasquitos | |
Poway | Scripps Ranch | |
Rancho Bernardo | ||
Descanso | Ramona | |
Julian | Santa Ysabel | |
Pine Valley | ||
Bonsall | Hidden Meadows | |
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Carlsbad | Pacific Beach | |
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Mira Mesa | The City of San Diego | |
Otay Mesa | ||
Cardiff by the Sea | Oceanside | |
Carmel Valley | Rancho Santa Fe | |
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Encinitas | Solana Beach | |
La Jolla | Vista | |
Alpine | Imperial Beach | |
Bonita | Jamul | |
Chula Vista | La Mesa | |
East Lake Chula Vista | Lakeside | |
El Cajon | Santee | |