Featured Image Source -> University Of Florida
You might have heard them called raspberry ants, tawny crazy ants, or longhorned crazy ants. Regardless of the name, they all share one key trait: they’re a nightmare for Florida homeowners. These tiny, chaotic invaders don’t just crash the party, they chew the wires, swarm the walls, and turn your home into their personal jungle gym.
In this guide, we’ll break down who these wild ants are, why they’re more than just a nuisance, and above all, how to show them the door (permanently). Buckle up. Things are about to get… antsy.
Learning the Basics
Photo Source -> UGA Extension
There are two main species to be aware of in Florida: the tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) and the longhorned crazy ant (Paratrechina longicornis). Both are invasive species native to South America, and both have made themselves right at home in our warm, humid climate. While they were first documented in the U.S. in the early 2000s, crazy ants have now firmly established themselves throughout Florida, particularly in urban and suburban areas where they find both shelter and opportunity.
They’ve earned the name “crazy” for a reason. They don’t march in lines like normal ants, they zigzag, dart, and generally look like they forgot their GPS.
Crazy ants are tiny, measuring between 1/16 and 1/8 of an inch. Their reddish-brown bodies sometimes have a faint gray sheen, and they’re covered in fine hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy appearance when viewed up close. Their long legs and unusually long antennae are what really set them apart, giving them a lanky, spindly look.
Crazy ants are most active during the hot, humid months but when rain rolls in or temperatures drop, they seek shelter indoors. That’s when the real trouble begins. We often get emergency calls during Florida’s rainy season from folks who suddenly find their homes overrun.
Where Do These Crazy Ants Live?
Check out this video from 11 years ago that made the news!
One of the biggest reasons crazy ants are so difficult to control is their ability to nest in places you wouldn’t expect. You won’t find tidy mounds in your yard like you might with fire ants. Instead, crazy ants nest in wall voids, under floors, and inside electronics, anywhere warm and protected with a hint of moisture.
Outdoors, they set up shop in leaf litter, compost piles, tree stumps, and mulch beds. I’ve pulled colonies out of potted plants, trash bins, car engines, even appliances like coffee machines and light switches.
What Do Florida Crazy Ants Eat?
Short answer? Pretty much everything.
They’re the all-you-can-eat buffet champs of the insect world. They chow down on sweets, proteins, grease, other bugs, and even pet food if it’s left out. If it smells even remotely edible, chances are they’re already forming a conga line to it.
In the wild, they feed on honeydew (not the melon, unfortunately) produced by aphids and other sap-sucking insects. Indoors, they’ll go for anything from cookie crumbs to that one french fry that fell under the couch six months ago.
Basically, if you’re eating it, they want it. If you dropped it, they already found it.
Are Florida Crazy Ants Harmful or Helpful?
Crazy ants aren’t dangerous to your health, they don’t sting or spread disease, but they are a nightmare for your home. They’re drawn to electronics, chew through wires, and can cause serious (and expensive) damage. Outside, they overrun gardens, kill off helpful bugs, and wreck landscaping. They’re not just annoying, they’re destructive and relentless.
When Florida Crazy Ants Become Problem
To truly get ahead of an infestation, you need a phased, systematic plan. This is how you get rid of florida crazy ants:
Identify and Monitor Entry Points
Use glue traps or double-sided tape around baseboards, under appliances, and near outlets to monitor activity. These simple tools act like silent detectives, telling you exactly where ants are getting in. Pay close attention to these places. Crazy ants love to follow utility pathways.
Use Baits Strategically
Once you know where they’re foraging, apply tiny dabs of Advion Ant Gel near, not on, active trails. Ants are cautious by nature; putting bait directly in their path may cause them to avoid it. And this is key: don’t disturb them while they’re feeding. No sprays. No cleaning around them.
Apply Perimeter Treatment After Baiting
Once baiting has had time to work (typically after 7–10 days) it’s time to follow up with non-repellent sprays. We use products like Alpine WSG that don’t alert or repel the ants, so they walk right through it and bring it deeper into the colony.
Eliminate Nesting Areas Outside
Outside the home, crazy ants take full advantage of cluttered or overgrown areas. Keep your trash bins sealed, and clean up pet food, fruit drops, or grease residue that might attract them. And don’t forget to trim back tree limbs and shrubs touching your home.
Reinforce Your Home
Finally, we shift into prevention mode. The only way to keep crazy ants out long-term is to cut off their entry points. That means:
Sealing cracks in your foundation, brickwork, or siding
Caulking gaps around windows, doors, and utility lines
Installing fine mesh over attic vents, dryer ducts, and weep holes
Note: Most DIY methods fail because they either scatter the colony, don’t reach the hidden nests, or cancel each other out (like mixing baits and sprays). Even the best products only work when used precisely. Crazy ants are stubborn, fast-spreading, and built to survive, so don’t blame yourself if they keep coming back.
Coexist or Control?
Crazy ants may be small, but they bring big problems. The key is early action. Don’t wait for ants to reach your outlets, appliances, or car engine. Don’t wait until they’ve spread into multiple rooms or colonized your yard, and above all, be strategic, not just reactive.
If you’re overwhelmed (and I understand if you are) call a professional ant control you trust. Don’t forget to document any damage, especially if electrical systems, appliances, or property value is impacted. While most insurance policies don’t cover infestations, proper documentation may still be critical in real estate disclosures or resale negotiations.
And remember: You’re not alone. Families across Florida are fighting the same battle. I’ve helped hundreds of them win and I can help you too.