Color: Dark brown to black with gray sheen
Legs: 6
Shape: Long, segmented
Size: 1/16 – 1/8” (2.2 – 3.0 mm)
Antennae: Yes
Region: All
Crazy ants get their common name from the workers’ habit of running in an erratic, jerky manner when searching for food.
Crazy ants feed primarily on live and dead insects, seeds, fruits, and honeydew. They are found throughout the U.S., but are confined indoors in the northern states because they cannot survive the winter outdoors. Caribbean crazy ants (Nylanderia pubens) enter homes in the autumn or after rainfall when honeydew is scarce.
Caribbean crazy ants do not pose a health threat, but if they gain entry to a structure, they can become a nuisance.
Crazy ants feed primarily on live and dead insects, seeds, fruits, and honeydew. They are found throughout the U.S., but are confined to the indoors in the northern states because they cannot survive the winter outdoors. Caribbean crazy ants enter homes in the autumn or after rainfall because both conditions reduce their supply of honeydew.
To prevent Caribbean crazy ants, it is important to seal all potential entry points around the house, including small openings and cracks around doors and windows. Trim vegetation away from the home to prevent pathways inside. Food spills and other potential attractants should be cleaned up promptly to prevent attracting crazy ants.
Working with a professional pest control company is the most effective way to help get rid of crazy ants. They require specialized treatments that target the colony at its source, as their large, multi-queen colonies and erratic foraging behavior make them particularly difficult to control with DIY methods.
Professional pest control treatments using targeted baits and residual insecticides can help eliminate the entire colony, not just the visible workers. DIY remedies often fail to address the root cause and can lead to colony splitting, known as budding, which can worsen the infestation.
Crazy ants feed on many things, such as sugars, proteins, and other insects. They forage widely and are drawn to moisture, grease, and accessible food. Their broad diet is one reason they can establish colonies so quickly and are difficult to control without professional help.