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Houston Fire Ants Driven Out By ‘Crazy’ Ant Species

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Rasberry Crazy Ants Driving Out Fire Ants In Houston

Most of us in Houston are very familiar with the wretched Red Imported Fire ants. They make huge mounds on our property, and one painful sting from this pesky ant will be a constant reminder to keep your distance.

Over the last few years, Houston residents have been noticing a different species of ant; a species that some are calling far worse than the fire ant. I’m talking about the Rasberry (not raspberry) Crazy ant, and it’s beginning to displace fire ants in many areas in Houston.

Areas in Houston infested with Crazy ants have very few fire ants present. The reason being is that the Rasberry Crazy ants are an extremely invasive species that out-compete all other species of ant found in Houston.

Ants on raspberriesCrazy Ants vs. Fire Ants: Why Are Crazy Ants So Bad?

Rasberry Crazy ants are so bad, and so destructive, many residents are clamoring to get the fire ants back!

Crazy ants quickly outnumber other ant species because they multiply in even larger numbers. They are also difficult to control since they don’t eat the same poison baits as fire ants do.

Fire ants are in many ways very polite compared to crazy ants. When fire ants move into in your yard, they’ll form mounds and stay there. The Fire ants will only interact with you if you bother them or step on their unmistakable mounds.

Rasberry Crazy ants, on the other hand, “go everywhere,” invading homes and nesting in walls and crawlspaces, even damaging electrical equipment by swarming inside appliances. These ants are attracted to electrical impulses, chewing through electric insulation; they cause stop lights, air conditions, and other electrical equipment to short circuit. After being drawn into electrical equipment, they can easily cause shortages. Such actions often result in expensive repairs that inflict Houston homeowners.

On a positive note, Crazy ants don’t inflict painful stings like the Red Imported Fire Ants do.

Learn more about pest control methods for Fire Ants

Rasberry Crazy Ants

Imported from Brazil and Argentina in the 1930’s, the Rasberry Crazy ant has been infesting the Southeastern United States ever since. They are named after Tom Rasberry, the exterminator in Houston who discovered them. They are sometimes referred to as Tawny ants, but most people prefer the moniker “Crazy” because the ant’s erratic and non-linear movements.

Rasberry Crazy ants range in size from 1/16-1/8 inches long. They have slender bodies with long legs, and long antenna. They are reddish-brown in color, and are covered with fuzz. This fuzz makes the ant appear less glossy then other species of ant; and lead many to define the ant as “hairy.”

Ant Control In Houston, TX

Whether you are dealing with the painful stinging Red Imported Fire ant, or the destructive Rasberry Crazy ant; professional Houston Ant Control can help you with all of your ant problems. Ant control professionals in Houston are up to date on of the latest and most effective ant control methods and techniques to help Houston residents live ant free. Call today!

Bulwark Exterminating
10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com 
AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com 
Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com
 
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Houston Residents Battling Fire Ants

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fire_ant_worker1 (Photo credit: bart_drees)

If you live anywhere in the Houston, TX area you have likely had an unfortunate encounter with the Red Imported Fire ant. These ants have the reputation of being one of the worst pests in Texas, and rightfully so. In terms of human health, property damage, and environmental damage; no other pest can match the malevolence of these property pests… And Houston residents know it!

Houston Fire Ants

Residents of Houston, and surrounding areas, have been battling Red Imported Fire ants since their arrival in the late 1930’s. Their population has spread tremendously; so much in fact that certain areas in Texas have reported some 200 Fire Ant mounds per acre. That’s a scary thought considering one fire ant mount can house more than 250,000 ants a piece.

Another scary thought is that stings from these ants have been responsible for some 100+ deaths. Most of these deaths occur when someone who is stung has insect allergies. Painful fire ant stings can send a victim into anaphylactic shock. A sting victim will experience pain, swelling, itching, redness, dizziness, disorientation, and vomiting.

As you can imagine, these ants can create a major pest control problem for homeowners and local residents. Bulwark Pest Control technicians report that Fire Ants are one of the most frequently called about pests in the Houston, Texas area.

The Impact Of Fire Ants In Texas

Fire ant nest

Fire ant nest (Photo credit: Martin LaBar (going on hiatus))

If their stings weren’t serious enough, Fire Ants can also cause severe property and agricultural damage. Fire Ant mounds can measure several feet in diameter and reach eight feet deep into the soil. This building activity has damaged plant roots, lead to the loss of crops, and interfered with agricultural cultivation.

On top of it all, Red Imported Fire ants are also attracted to electrical wiring and equipment. They are known for creeping into the electrical wiring of stop lights and shorting them out. This activity is the leading cause of traffic light malfunctions in Texas.

In the state of Texas, Red Imported Fire ants cause more than $140 million in damage each year.

The FDA estimates more than $5 billion is spent annually on medical treatment, damage, and control in Fire Ant infested areas.

Ant Control For Fire Ants

Red Imported Fire ant infestations are very challenging to completely eliminate. A one time treatment from an exterminator, or a do-it-yourself pest control method, will only break up the ants into smaller colonies as they wait out the effects of the pesticide. Controlling Fire Ant populations takes consistent effort, and ant control strategies, from a professional who has experience in treating these malevolent insects.

Houston Ant Control

Bulwark Exterminating
10900 Brittmoore Park Drive
Houston, TX 77041
(281) 668-4930
bulwarkpestcontrol.com
 
AAAnimal Pro: Wildlife Control
8280 Golf Green Circle
Houston, TX 77036
(832) 248- 7804
houstonwildlifepatrol.com
 
Terminix
16155 Park Row, Suite 190
Houston, TX 77084
(832) 460-3698
terminix.com
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