Crazy Ant / Order/Family: Hymenoptera/Formicidae / Scientific Name: Paratrechina longicornis (Latrielle)
Description:
Crazy ant workers are light brown to black with a gray sheen and 1/16- to
1/8-inch long. The thorax has no spines and the petiole has one segment. The
distinguishing characteristics of this species are their extremely long legs and
the first segment of the antenna which is twice as long as the head. The tip of
the abdomen has a circle of tiny hairs.
Biology: Little has been published on the biology og this species. The size of colonies tends to be small, containing less than 2,000 workers. A colony of this size may have eight to 40 queens. Occasionally they completely abandon a nesting site and relocate to another.
Habits: Crazy ants often nest outdoors in soil under objects such as trash, refuse, mulch and stones, and in potted plants and cavities in trees and plants. In structures, they nest in wall and floor voids, especially near hot water pipes and heaters.
Their common name relates to their erratic running about in their search for food. They do travel in well established trails, foraging as much as 100 feet from their nest. They feed on honeydew produced by aphids and other plant feeders, seeds, fruit, insects, and almost any household food products. They frequently enter structures in the fall or after a rain because both conditions reduce the availability of honeydew outdoors.
Control: All cracks and gaps in exterior walls which access to voids or interior areas should be sealed. All debris from the exterior of the structure and other items on the ground where these ants nest should be removed.
Baits are not the
most effective method of eliminating crazy ants because their food preferences
change quickly. If baits are
attempted, they should be placed where an ant trails have been established and
in locations where the ants have been sited. Unless using containerized baits
indoors, they should be placed so they are inaccessible to children and pets.
Sweet baits are the most effective; however, if acceptance is low, consider
using a protein bait.
Controlling aphids on ornamental plants and trees around
structures removes their primary food source and causes them to forage elsewhere
for food.