Crazy Rasberry Ants
Houston, TX is being invaded by crazy rasberry ants.
The ants are thought to have arrived aboard a cargo ship. They were first spotted in Texas by Tom Rasberry (hence the name) back in 2002 and have been slowly making their way through the state ever since. We are now entering their most populous season (May to September) so the problem is likely to increase over the next few months. The ants are exceptionally fast breeders. A colony can get so massive, so fast in can be hard to make out the ground between the ants.
They get their ‘crazy’ name from their erratic behavior. Whereas most ants walk in a straight line, crazy raspberry ants travel in zig zags.
How do you identify crazy rasberry ants?
The first thing that gives crazy rasberry ants away is their seemingly random frantic movements. These are quite rare amongst insects. They are very small creatures with relatively long and pronounced legs and antennae. Although that’s not how they get their name, they are almost raspberry in color: they are a red/brown shade.
How do you prevent a crazy rasberry ant infestation?
Crazy rasberry ants, thanks to their strange movements, do not migrate at any great speed. The most likely way you are likely to get them is bringing home with you or having delivered firewood, potted plants, dirt, or mulch. If you are having such items delivered from Houston and its surrounding counties, be very careful. A crazy rasberry ant infestation is something you want to avoid if at all possible. And you certainly don’t want to be the source of an outbreak in your area.
How do you kill crazy rasberry ants?
Crazy raspberry ants are very hard to get rid of. They tend to overwhelm with sheer numbers. Putting down pesticide will kill the first wave of ants easily enough. However, the remaining ants will have no problems simply using the dead ants as a sort of bridge over the pesticide.
The best course of attack is to get a professional pest control expert in. They will have the stronger chemicals and the know how to tackle the problem more effectively. However, even professional exterminators can provide only temporary respite. It is likely that after a few months, the crazy rasberry ants will return as strong as every.
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May 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I live in Garland, Tx. I have fought these Crazy Ants for 2 years now and getting nowhere with them. I have paid $400 to Terminix and they also have done no good. I buy Talstar - both granules and liquid form - from the Internet at a cost of $53 per 25-lb bag (including shipping costs)and $60/pint of liquid. Terminix says this is “better than the stuff they use” but - Nothing works! I have found that ONLY DIRECT CONTACT will kill these ants and even the cheapest brands of any insecticide will work if it is direct contact only. It is necessary to locate all nests: under bricks, tree trunks, flower pots,etc. - anything that has not been checked or moved in a few days can be another source of these ant nests. I find and spray these ants on a daily basis and am about to go nuts myself. If your neighbors DO NOT fight the ants in their yards, you don’t stand a chance. I need a hug!
May 27th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
I have these ants too.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Thanks for the info, Betty. Really good stuff to know.
And here’s a hug for both of you.
>:D<
June 10th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
i live in minnesota and just discovered what i think are these ants in my printer/copier, recently purchased. they have ruined it. opening the top to make a copy i noticed thousands of these things with millions of eggs. it was discusting. i need to go home and look in my computer and other devices.
June 15th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I only have these in one area of my apartment - around my computer/desk. Does anyone think putting sticky traps around this area will help? I do not want to use pesticides as I have 2 cats.