Crazy ants are a growing problem throughout the Southeastern United States, including Tennessee. These ants get their name from their quick, erratic movements. Crazy ant colonies tend to be small compared to other ant species, but individual colonies can contain dozens of queens. Crazy ants typically infest homes to forage for food and escape harsh weather conditions.

Signs of a Crazy Ant Infestation

The best way to detect a crazy ant infestation is to keep an eye out for foraging workers. Crazy ant workers are black or dark brown and reach lengths of around 3 mm. They can be distinguished from other ant species by their long antennae and legs and the coarse hair growing on their bodies. 

Issues Caused by Crazy Ants

Crazy ants may not have painful bites like red imported fire ants, but they can still cause serious problems if they invade your property. For reasons that remain unclear, crazy ants are highly attracted to electrical equipment. This behavior is troublesome as the ants often chew through the insulation around electrical wiring, leading to mechanical failures and short circuits. When ants get electrocuted, they release chemicals which attract even more ants. Like other ants, crazy ants also cause health problems such as food poisoning by spreading bacteria throughout infested areas. 

Getting Rid of Crazy Ants

Crazy ants can live in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments, and pinpointing their colonies is difficult. The best way to ensure that the entire colony is located and eliminated is to work with a qualified pest control service. Professional exterminators can find the crazy ant colony and target the infestation at its source. Professionals also have access to pesticides that are much more effective than over-the-counter products.