Tag: crazy ants

How Do I Get Rid Of Fire Ants In My Yard?

Posted on September 6, 2023 by - Ants, Pest Control General, Pests Services

As the scorching Louisiana sun beats down, life in the Bayou State becomes a battle against the elements. It’s not just us seeking refuge from the suffocating heat and arid conditions, though – fire ants and crazy ants are on the move too. These tiny creatures are adapting to the harsh environment by seeking shelter and moisture, much like us. 

 

What are Fire Ants?

Fire ants build mounds in almost any type of soil, but prefer open, sunny areas such as meadows, pastures, parks, playgrounds, lawns, sports fields and golf courses, as well as agricultural land and wilderness areas. Often mounds are located in rotting logs and around stumps and trees. Colonies also can occur in or under buildings. Fire ants will not create mounds when the weather is extremely hot or dry. During this time, they go deep underground during the day and come out at night to forage. 

 

What are Crazy Ants?

Crazy ants are another breed of ants that have been on the rise in Louisiana over the last few years. While they don’t sting or bite, crazy ants can cause structural damage because they often nest in homes, electrical boxes, etc. and they thrive and multiply in moist, wooded areas, cracks, crevices–anywhere they can find shelter. While people have tried to end the pests’ existence, they often find they are fighting a losing battle.

 

A Raft of Ants

One of the craziest things about these ants is their ability to form rafts in response to heavy rainfall. These rafts allow the ants to float on water instead of drowning. They work together in harmony, with the lower ants acting as sacrificial lambs, forming a base that supports the rest of the colony. While some ants die at the bottom, the majority of the colony survives this ordeal and relocates once the waters recede. This collective effort shows the incredible resilience of these tiny creatures.

 

Can you be allergic to Ants?

Yes! Ants can be life-threatening if you have an allergy to them. The Bug Man has products to help you keep them out of your yard and your home. While crazy ants don’t sting or bite, fire ant stings are painful, characterized by a local burning sensation, which swells into a bump within hours. The bump may develop into a white pustule within 24–36 hours, which can become infected if scratched, but will spontaneously flatten within a few days if left alone. 

 

The Bug Man has products to help you keep ants out of your yard and your home. From Fire Ants to Crazy Ants, we can solve any of your ant problems.

https://bugmanonline.com/specialized-services/ant-control/ 

 

 

Crazy Ants: What You Should Know

Posted on July 25, 2019 by - Ants

Crazy ants

Just when you thought you heard it all – here comes the crazy ant. Crazy ants have progressively invaded the Louisiana area since they were identified in Texas in 2002. Over time they have spread quickly and have been very difficult to eradicate. A crazy ant runs erratically with no sense of direction. Be sure to continue reading for a better understanding of these insects and what you can do to prevent them.

 

Trailing Habits 

Crazy ants don’t travel in a straight line like fire ants who follow a pheromone trail. They move without organization when foraging away from the colony. This quick, unpredictable pattern is what gives them the name “Crazy Ant.”

 

Appearance

These ants are identified as Nylanderia fulva and are reddish dark brown to black in color. Their antennae have 12 segments without a club and are very elongated. They are approximately 2.2 mm to 3.2 mm in length. The body of a crazy ant is scattered with long, coarse hairs. Although these ants have no stinger, they may bite and curve their bodies to deposit venom. 

 

More Aggressive Than Fire Ants 

Crazy ants are very aggressive towards predators and they are larger in size than fire ants. They can overtake fire ant colonies as well as small animals like birds and snakes. They will eliminate any species in their territory in order to control an area. These species are also known to have a bad reputation of damaging electrical and computer equipment and can severely damage your car. It’s estimated that every year, crazy ants cause more than $146 million in electrical damage. They’ve also caused many problems on industrial sites and inside homes. 

 

Treatment of crazy ants

The treatment of this species of ant used to be a battle. When they started invading south Louisiana, our standard fire ant treatment products and methods of treatment were not very effective. Thankfully, we now have new products on the market that are strong enough to eliminate these ants, reducing infestation rates and repeat treatments. Even with these new treatments, it is important to be aware that this species is quickly spreading throughout south Louisiana since identified in Texas 17 years ago.

 

Things You Can Do To Prevent Them

  • Remove any debris in the yard that an ant can hide under to nest. Also check under dog houses for ant colonies, near firewood stacks, or behind shrubs if you have an infestation and cannot locate the colony. 

 

  • Don’t leave food out for ants to feed on such as pet food or those delicious leftovers from a BBQ. Make sure you also close your trash can containing tossed food. 

 

  • Seal up entry points into your home such as plumbing lines and install door sweeps to prevent the entry of these insects into your home.

 

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Once you have confirmed Crazy Ant activity, you must act quickly and begin treatment before these insects damage your property or electrical equipment. We offer many Specialized Services for just about any kind of bug, including fire ants and crazy ants.

 

Do you have any insects that are giving you trouble or just have questions about these unwanted guests? Request an in-home estimate today and we will solve all of your bug problems! Please contact The Bug Man for all your pest control needs at (225)923-2847 or visit our Contact page.