‘Crazy Ants’: The ants that destroy electronics march into Georgia

[mfcorey1]

A new ant has marched into the Peach State that can cause unusual issues compared to the typical six-legged insect.
The tawny crazy ant, scientific name nylanderia fulva, can overwhelm environments quickly, travel in massive groups and move in a quick, erratic fashion. They can cause major issues, including ruining electronics, if found close to homes or buildings.
In a study published in April in The Journal of Biological Invasions, it says these tiny, reddish ants can destroy the fire ant communities that Georgians know well.
Although fire ants may form mounds close to homes, they are usually not aggressive unless bothered. Tawny crazy ants, by comparison, may seek household electronics to feed on.
Tawny ants do not sting like fire ants, but use sheer numbers to overwhelm other ant populations.
Ron Harrison, director of technical services for Orkin, said he would not be surprised if the tawny ants survive in Georgia.
“They will displace fire ants,” Harrison said. “They are just so prolific. The whole ground can be moving. I would not be surprised if they can survive in our area.”
University of Georgia agriculture and natural resources county extension agent James Morgan found the ants on Aug. 15 in Albany at an assisted living facility in a vacant duplex and out building.
“I found that they can cause problems. When they’re in the house they can get into wall sockets and short-circuit things,” Morgan said.
The ants are attracted to electrical outlets because of the warmth coming from them, Morgan said. But small electronics aren’t the only things tawny ants enjoy.

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/breaking-news/crazy-ants-the-ants-that-eat-electronics-march-int/nZ3zy/

[elehhhhna]

1. they ate our pool pump last summer here in TX

saw them all over Isla Mujeres MX last week. At least they don't bite!!! Microwave can't kill 'em. They seem to like cornsugar products waaaaaay more than they like sugar (they'll get right into the creamer powder and ignore the sugar altogether). One of the few things that does kill them fast is Simple Green. Weird.

[dembotoz]

2. the ants ate my homework

better not let my teenager see this or he will try it out as an excuse and we don't live anywhere near georgia

why can't we ever have nice invasive species
like pretty butterflies than only eat bad weeds
and taste like chicken when grilled

[jberryhill]

3. "The Journal of Biological Invasions"

I think I used to read that one when I was a kid.

[Lancero]

4. I dub ye...

The Electric Ant.

[jsr]

5. They are crazy bastards

[greytdemocrat]

6. Ha

We have them big time in FL.

One day several years ago I found a Micro colony in
my Weather Radio of all places!

Had to take it outside and spray it.

They damage phone junction boxes and power connections too.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. Destroying fire ants is a good thing

destroying our puter connections...nooooooooo.

Guess it is a matter of time before we see them here.

[hunter]

8. I've managed to make peace with our Argentine ants...

... which have a similar capacity to overwhelm other ant species.

We don't use insecticides in our house or garden. We do use Frontline or similar insecticides on our dogs, especially when we visit places infested by ticks.

Really, the only irritating thing the ants do is raise aphids and scale insects in our garden but our flocks of noisy little birds are quite adept at grabbing those insects before the ants can swarm to protect them.

The "crazy ants" seem to be sensitive to magnetic fields. Their "attraction" to electronics is an accident of evolution, much like a moth's "attraction" to lights. Their navigation systems get messed up.

I rather hope the Argentine ants remain the dominant species here. I've finally got them figured out and I don't want to have to start again.

Insecticides are almost always a bad idea. All you are doing is clearing the territory for some obnoxious insecticide resistant species like cockroaches. I never see cockroaches. I'm sure our ants and spiders eat them.

[RebelOne]

9. I live in Georgia and rodents can do a really good job

at short-circuiting electrical wiring. I had an invasion of rats because of a field being cleared behind my house. They ate my wiring and it cost me over $1,000 for an electrician to repair it all. Then an exterminator cost me another $350 to get rid of the pests. I think after all that I could deal with the ants.