Fire ants can ruin a picnic, but so-called “crazy ants” terrorize people and even ruin electrical devices. According to a recent article by the nytimes.com, people have spotted crazy ants or Tawny or Rasberry crazy ants in Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. Whether you notice fire ants or crazy ants in your Tampa yard or home, it’s imperative to call a company that specializes in pest control in Tampa. Be proactive to prevent property destruction and harm to your family or pets.
Understanding the origin
The scientific name for the tawny or Rasberry crazy ant is Nylanderia fulva. The ant originates from South America. People call the ant “crazy” because of its erratic and fast movements as well as the crazy damage it can do to electrical devices. Some call the ant the Rasberry crazy ant, not because they are found in raspberry bushes, but after Tom Rasberry, who noticed the rapid increase of the pests while exterminating.
Identifying the ant
The crazy ant is 3.2 mm long, which is somewhat smaller than a fire ant. The crazy ant has reddish-brown hairs. Colonies of crazy ants live under piles or stones, while fire ants create mounds. The ant bites rather than strings. The crazy ant releases formic acid as its venom that causes pain. The ant is displacing the red imported fire ant and other ants.
Protecting your home
If you have fire ants or crazy ants, you need a pet control in Tampa that has experience protecting homes. Crazy ants can chew through insulation as well as cause short circuits in electrical equipment. Because the ant releases a pheromone when dying, it attracts other ants to gather. Experts say homeowners can’t control the ants with over-the-counter pesticides and the typical ant baits. An article by cnn.com points out crazy ants could change the ecological balance of the U.S. as it displaces fire ants. They nest in walls and empty containers in your yard as well as house plants.
At Consolidated Pest Control, we are experts at pest control, lawn spraying and rodent control. We serve Brandon, Valrico, Lithia, New Tampa, Temple Terrace, Riverview, Plant City, South Tampa and nearby areas. Protect your family from fire ants and other pests this summer. For more information about lawn spraying service in the Tampa area, please contact us.
