Crazy Ants

You can identify a Crazy Ant by its erratic and "crazy" movement when disturbed. These ants seem to run aimlessly around. Another distinguishing feature is that their legs and antennae are longer in proportion to their bodies, compared to other types of ants. Crazy Ants are invasive ants. In some cases, even Fire Ants are easier to treat since their mounds can be determined and treated. Crazy Ants do not burrow or form mounds. To make it even more difficult to control, the Black Crazy Ant or "Longhorn Crazy Ant" clone the queen and her mates, for faster reproduction. They have a bad reputation of damaging electrical and computer equipment. They have had negative impact on industrial sites and have caused problems around residential homes.

The Rasberry/Tawny crazy ant (discovered by Tom Rasberry in 2002), is related to the Caribbean crazy ant, a serious invasive pest in Florida. They can be easily transported; common in shipping containers and other commerce. They may be found indoors, where they can survive all year in the northern states. Tom Rasberry writes in his blog that the Rasberry Crazy Ant can reach billions per acre. He states that they eat other insects or compete for food, resulting in a disappearance of insect populations, having a negative impact on ecological systems. They also can be seen throughout the south, some Midwest states, as well California, Arizona and Hawaii.

1. Inspect For Crazy Ants

Because the crazy ants wander in aimless movements instead of a straight trail, it may be difficult to locate a trail to treat.

Placing both a sweet and protein food sources (jelly or honey /tuna or peanut butter), may cause them to trail to the food. At that point, you can spray and or bait with the suggested products listed below on the trails. Look under rocks, stumps, landscape timbers, firewood, and any rotting wood. Crazy Ants forage over long distances, so it is important to search diligently.

2. Seal All Possible Entry Points

Seal all possible entry points around windows and doors if possible. Trim vegetation away from structures to limit the ant's pathway. Clean up any food and spills to avoid attracting the crazy ants.

3. Ant Baits

Invict Blitz and Invict Xpress with Imidacloprid are excellent baits for mega-colony and persistent ants like, Crazy Ants on the protein cycle. Use Advion Ant Bait Gel on their sugar cycles.

The workers take these baits back to the nest and feed the larvae. You can use it the Invict around the perimeter, on the lawn or inside your homes in cracks and crevices.

Since Crazy Ants need moisture, look for areas that are damp. Keep exposed bait away from pets and children.

Since Taurus SC, FUSE, and Dominion 2L are non-repellent products, they will not interfere with Invict Blitz or Invict Xpress. Wait until the Taurus SC, FUSE,or Dominion 2L dries, if applying the bait in the same general area.

Mega Colony Kit (Contains both baits and non-repellent insecticide)

The Mega-Colony Ant Kit has Advion Ant Bait, Invict Xpress and Dominion 2L combined as a kit, saving money. Use the baits on the inside and outside where you see the ants foraging and use the Dominon 2L as a spray on the ground and foliage.