Pest Identification

Crazy Ant

Chinch Bugs, Their Damage and Elimination
These small, dark colored ants get their name from the habit of meandering around, not following trails as often as other ants. Instead of looking focused (following distinct trails), they often are seen wandering around countertops, floors, etc., as if they are lost. Crazy ants will either be seen in trails or acting crazy!

All workers in a crazy ant colony are the same size and all have only one node between the thorax and abdomen. When viewed with a magnifying glass or microscope, these pests are easily recognized by their long antennae (which contain 12 segments) and extremely long legs.

The crazy ant's diet will vary from grease, sweets (both those found in a home and the sweet nectar produced by aphids) and even other insects. Once a colony locates a desired food source, hundreds of workers will be seen crawling all over the food. In a very short time period, they will take all of the food, making it disappear quickly.

Crazy Ant Inspection
Crazy ants will adapt to moist or dry environments. You will not easily spot their mounds in your lawn. These pests will nest in soil beneath landscape timbers, mulch, decorative stone, logs, firewood and debris such as abandoned construction material. They can also be found in rotting wood, holes in the trunks and limbs of trees, even in irrigation equipment.

During periods when these small ants are foraging, trails are easily observed on the sides of the home, on sidewalks, patios and driveways. As with any ant trail, the ants will be seen traveling in opposite directions. While some of the worker ants are marching towards their food source, the others are carrying food back to their nest. Those carrying food should be followed to locate the ant nest for elimination. If visible pieces of food are not seen by the returning ants, their abdomen will appear swollen from carrying liquids being carried back to the ant colony.

Inspect all potted plants; crazy ants will find harborage beneath the planters as well as in the soil of the plant. Remember that potted plants are in many places: porches, patios, window boxes, etc. Rain gutters are another favorite nesting site of this ant. Inspect the entire property, locating as many nests as possible. Crazy ants will travel a considerable distance when foraging, so a diligent search is very important.