The Difference Between Crazy Ants And Fire Ants

There are many types of ants in Texas, but two in particular may be bothering you this summer – crazy ants and fire ants. What’s the difference? When you’ve had problems with both, you can spot the differences very quickly, but to the untrained eye these pests may seem quite similar. Here are some tips to help you determine whether you have crazy ants vs fire ants from the Houston pest control pros at Holder’s Pest Solutions.

What are fire ants?

Also called the red imported fire ant, these insects range between 1/16 and ¼ of an inch long. They have a yellow-red head and thorax with a black abdomen. Fire ants have a tendency to build nests in sunny and open areas or in disturbed or irrigated soil. They can also be found nesting alongside buildings and near foundation walls. These insects are sometimes attracted to electrical boxes, traffic signals and air conditioners. They will enter these things in large numbers, which can cause the equipment to malfunction. Fire ants can also be very destructive to vegetation, especially when they have large populations. Signs of these fire ants include sandy, earthen mounds or people that complain of being stung by these pests. This invasive ant species has few predators and is especially problematic when their populations reach very high numbers.

What are crazy ants?

Also known as the tawny ant and the Rasberry crazy ant, these insects are around 1/8 of an inch long. They are reddish brown in color and have tiny hairs on their bodies. This invasive species of ant will build outdoor nests but will travel into homes and buildings on a search for food or when the weather gets cooler. Sometimes these insects will build their nests inside walls or inside electrical equipment, similarly to fire ants. These insects are known for their impressive ability to take over your lawn and home very quickly. They have enormous populations and very few predators, which makes them a challenge to control. They are called crazy ants because of their seemingly erratic behavior and frantic movements. Check out this page for more information on crazy ants.

So, what can be done to prevent these pests from nesting on your property? Preventing ants like the crazy ant and the fire ant from nesting on your property can be quite difficult, especially without the assistance of a pest control professional. At Holder’s, our professionals can offer exceptional ant control services to help eliminate populations of these pests and prevent them from returning. Call us today to learn more about the ant control services we can provide in Houston and throughout our service area and

Contact us today to learn more about the ant control services we can provide in Houston and throughout our service area and to schedule your first appointment.