Size
1/8”
Color
Tan, Yellow
Description
The Crazy Ant gets its name from the way that it runs frantically about at top speed, unlike its cousins who seem to follow a trail one by one. Tan or yellow in color, the Crazy Ant also has hair on its abdomen so it appears less shiny than other ants.
The Crazy Ant nests under dead leaves, in wood or brick piles, or in potted plants. A colony may have several nest sites connected by tunnels or paths. If one ant is attacked or killed, it sends off a pheromone scent that alerts others to come to its aid.
Crazy Ants prefer sweet meals in cold weather and proteins when it’s warm. They are attracted to vegetables and garden bugs and will attack a large prey in groups.
Control Advice
Clear dead vegetation away from the house and out of the yard to reduce nesting sites and seal cracks in exterior walls.
Active Seasons
The Crazy Ant is active in all seasons.
Photo courtesy of James Castner, University of Florida