Crazy Ants

What do crazy ants look like?

Crazy ants are a small species of ant. Adults grow to between 1/16th and 1/8th of an inch in length. Their long, segmented body is covered in tiny hairs, and they are brownish red to black but may have a gray sheen. The best way to tell crazy ants apart from other ants is not by what they look like but rather by their behavior. Crazy ants don't travel together in a straight line. Instead, individuals move in a manner described as frantic, erratic, or jerky. Their random movements cause them to appear "crazy," like they have no idea what they are doing or where they are going. 

What attracts crazy ants?

Crazy ants are initially attracted to properties that offer them ample food sources and a place to nest. They feed on seeds, fruits, honeydew, and other live or dead insects. Things like fallen trees, gardens, compost bins, trashcans, and outdoor eating areas can attract crazy ants.

Where will I find crazy ants? 

Crazy ants cannot survive in cold weather outdoors, which is why they are widespread in southern states such as Florida. These ants usually nest outside under mulch, rocks, leaf litter, and tree cavities. However, they may venture into homes in search of food or to escape cool or rainy weather. Once inside, they tend to nest in hard-to-reach areas such as behind walls, under floors, and in crawlspaces.

Are crazy ants dangerous?

Crazy ants are not particularly dangerous, but they can be quite a nuisance. They live in large colonies and if they infest your yard and home, they can contaminate food and cause damage to electrical equipment, potentially leading to expensive repairs.

How do I get rid of crazy ants?

Lindsey Pest Services uses an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to get rid of ants. Our expert pest control technicians will inspect your property to identify the crazy ants accurately, find where they are active, and find the location of their nest.

Once we've evaluated your ant problem, we'll determine the most efficient ant control method and complete the treatment.

If you choose one of our home pest control plans, we'll perform ongoing maintenance to ensure the colonies don't redevelop while keeping new ants from entering your house. 

How can I prevent a crazy ant infestation?

Preventing problems with crazy ants on your property is difficult because they live together in vast colonies. The best way to prevent these ants is to partner with Lindsey Pest Services and implement a year-round home pest control plan. In addition to our professional services, the following tips can help to prevent crazy ants:

• Inspect the exterior of your home repair spaces in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline.

• Seal spaces around utilities entering into your home.

• Place mesh covers over vents leading into your home.

• Trim tree branches, shrubs, and bushes away from your home.

• Keep tight-fitting lids on trash cans and compost bins.

• Keep outdoor eating areas free of food debris.

• Remove fallen trees, tree stumps, leaves, and other debris from your property.

Inside your home, regularly remove the garbage, wash dishes, vacuum, and store food in air-tight containers or refrigerators.