Tawny Crazy Ants in Georgia
Also known as raspberry crazy ants, tawny crazy ants (Nylanderia fulva) were first introduced to the public in Texas in 2002. Since then, they’ve spread to become one of many ant species commonly found in Georgia, and scientists believe they may be displacing some fire ants in the area. Named for their butterscotch color and erratic trailing movements, tawny crazy ants follow pheromone trails like other ants. However, the movements of tawny crazy ants appear erratic because they have very long legs and move quickly. Tawny crazy ants can kill grass, displace other insects, and destroy electrical equipment, causing damage in urban and rural areas.
What Do Tawny Crazy Ants Look Like?
Tawny crazy ants are small, measuring about 1/8 inch in length. They are reddish-brown with a slightly shiny appearance. Unlike other ants, they do not have spines or stingers but are equipped with long legs and antennae, which contribute to their rapid and erratic movements. These ants do not follow a straight-line trail, often making their behavior appear chaotic and unpredictable. Their distinct coloring and frantic activity are key identifiers of this species.
Signs of a Tawny Crazy Ant Infestation
Due to their aggressive foraging and large colony sizes, tawny crazy ants can become a major nuisance. One of the most noticeable signs of a tawny crazy ant infestation is their erratic, rapid, and irregular movements, with ants often spreading across walls, floors, and outdoor areas. They are also known for forming supercolonies, resulting in overwhelming numbers of ants in infested spaces.
These ants create extensive foraging trails that can stretch across large areas, often following walls, ceilings, and floors as they search for food sources. Unlike other ants, tawny crazy ants do not follow a single, consistent path but instead exhibit a more chaotic, scattered movement pattern. This erratic behavior makes it harder to pinpoint the exact location of their nests.
Tawny crazy ants are often found near moisture, such as around sinks, pipes, air conditioning units, or outdoor water sources. Their nests can be located in hidden, protected areas like wall voids, beneath debris, or inside electrical devices, where they may cause short circuits and damage to equipment.
Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors
Where Do Tawny Crazy Ants Live?
Building large nests, typically near moisture, tawny crazy ants will utilize any available crack or crevice. Nests are found under leaf debris, waste material, soil crevices, and other protected habitats. Although they don’t typically build colonies in homes, tawny crazy ants will venture indoors to forage for meats and sweets. Additionally, nests have been found in potted plants, stumps, and electrical equipment.
Diet
Tawny crazy ants are opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet. They are attracted to both sugary and protein-rich foods, consuming items like fruits, syrups, meats, and dead insects. Tending aphids and consuming their honeydew secretions, tawny crazy ants also prey on live animals and scavenge from dead animals.
Indoors, they often seek out moist areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, or spaces near leaky pipes. Outside, they are frequently found near electrical equipment and air conditioning units, where they can cause significant damage. Their adaptable feeding habits allow them to thrive in a wide range of environments, including homes, gardens, and natural settings.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of tawny crazy ants consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Queens lay eggs that develop into ant workers, reproductive males, or new queens, depending on the colony’s needs. The development process typically takes several weeks, with worker ants living for a few months and queens surviving much longer. Colonies are massive, often consisting of multiple queens, which allows them to grow and spread rapidly.
Behaviors
Tawny crazy ants are highly social and exhibit erratic, rapid movements, earning them their “crazy” name. They form supercolonies with interconnected nests, enabling their population to explode quickly. These ants are non-aggressive toward humans but can outcompete native ant species, significantly impacting local ecosystems.
During dry spells or heavy rains, tawny crazy ants may invade homes and businesses in search of shelter, moisture, and food.
Are Tawny Crazy Ants Dangerous?
Although they do not have a stinger, tawny crazy ants can bite. When bitten, pain is mild and dissipates quickly.
Tawny crazy ants can also produce formic acid as a defense mechanism, which they spray when threatened. Their spray can irritate but is generally less harmful than fire ant venom.
These pests have also been found in televisions, stereos, the backs of computers, and other appliances. Known to chew through insulated wires and causing electrical shorts, many typical pest control tactics for other ants do not provide adequate control of the tawny crazy ant.
How To Get Rid of Tawny Crazy Ants
Getting rid of these pest ants can be challenging due to their large colonies and erratic foraging habits. If your infestation is minor, try using ant baits specifically designed for tawny crazy ants and place them along foraging trails.
In severe infestations, contact professional pest control services for effective colony management. If a tawny crazy ant infestation is suspected, it is best to consult a professional ant exterminator.
Tawny Crazy Ant Prevention Tips
To prevent tawny crazy ants from invading your home or business, take proactive steps.
- Keep your property clean by eliminating food and water sources, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
- Seal cracks, gaps, and other entry points in walls, doors, and windows.
- Maintain the exterior of your home by trimming vegetation and removing debris where ants may nest.
- Regularly inspect electrical equipment, especially in outdoor or poorly maintained areas.
- Address any issues with electrical equipment promptly to prevent potential damage.
- Act quickly at the first sign of an infestation to prevent a larger problem.
Do You Have an Ant Infestation Problem? We Can Help.
At Active Pest Control, we specialize in identifying and eliminating ant infestations, including tawny crazy ants and other species like fire ants, trap-jaw ants, argentine ants, carpenter ants and more.
Our expert team uses effective solutions to restore peace and safety to your home or business.
FAQs
Do tawny crazy ants bite?
Yes, tawny crazy ants can bite, but their primary method of defense is spraying formic acid. Their bites can cause mild irritation or a slight burning sensation, but they are not typically dangerous. The formic acid they produce from stings can also cause discomfort.
Are tawny crazy ants invasive?
Yes, tawny crazy ants are highly invasive.
Originating in South America, these pests have since spread to various parts of the world, displacing native ant populations and disrupting local ecosystems. Their adaptability to diverse habitats enables them to spread rapidly across both urban and natural areas, further exacerbating their impact on local ecosystems.
Do tawny crazy ants die in winter?
Tawny crazy ants do not die in winter. They remain active year-round, seeking warmth and shelter indoors during colder months. Unlike some ant species, they do not hibernate and will continue foraging inside homes and buildings.
Do tawny crazy ants eat wood?
No, tawny crazy ants do not eat wood. Their diet consists of sugary substances, proteins, and dead insects. They are also known to forage for honeydew produced by aphids but do not cause direct damage to wooden structures like termites.
Do tawny crazy ants have wings?
Tawny crazy ants do have wings during their reproductive phase. Winged males and females, known as swarmers, leave the colony to mate and establish new colonies. These ants are usually seen in large numbers during the swarming season in warm weather.
