Longhorn Crazy Ants
Paratrechina longicornis (Latreille)
Longhorn crazy ants get their common name from the workers' habit of running in an erratic, jerky manner when searching for food.
Pest Stats
Color
Dark brown to black with gray sheen
Legs
6
Shape
Long, segmented
Size
1/16 – 1/8” (2.2 – 3.0 mm)
Antennae
Yes
Region
All
Crazy Ant Photos
Videos View All Videos
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What attracts ants to my kitchen counter? Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, discusses why ants tend to march into the heart of the home. Visit the Ants Pest Guide to learn more about the common types of ants.
-
Watch this video highlighting the basics on the number one nuisance pest in America - ants.
-
Watch this video to learn where ants are most commonly found in homes and advice on how to get rid of ants.
-
Watch this video to learn how to prevent ants and what to do if you have ants in your home.
-
How are ants able to carry such large crumbs? Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, explains. Discover additional information about ants and ant control.
Longhorn crazy ants get their common name from the workers' habit of running in an erratic, jerky manner when searching for food.
Pest Stats
Color
Dark brown to black with gray sheen
Legs
6
Shape
Long, segmented
Size
1/16 – 1/8” (2.2 – 3.0 mm)
Antennae
Yes
Region
All
Videos View All Videos
-
What attracts ants to my kitchen counter? Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, discusses why ants tend to march into the heart of the home. Visit the Ants Pest Guide to learn more about the common types of ants.
-
Watch this video highlighting the basics on the number one nuisance pest in America - ants.
-
Watch this video to learn where ants are most commonly found in homes and advice on how to get rid of ants.
-
Watch this video to learn how to prevent ants and what to do if you have ants in your home.
-
How are ants able to carry such large crumbs? Dr. Jim Fredericks, chief entomologist for the National Pest Management Association, explains. Discover additional information about ants and ant control.
Habits
Longhorn crazy ants are opportunistic scavengers that will feed on a range of items including live and dead insects, seeds, fruits and honeydew. Foragers may enter homes in search of food and moisture, particularly during the cooler fall and winter months when natural food sources are scarce.
Habitat
The longhorn crazy ant is not native to the United States. It is a tropical species with widespread populations found throughout most of the US. In southern states with tropical or subtropical climates, infestations can occur both indoors and out. In northern states that have a more temperate climate, longhorn crazy ants are more commonly encountered indoors.
Threats
Longhorn crazy ants do not pose a health threat, but if they gain entry to a structure, they can become a nuisance. If you notice Longhorn crazy ants, contact a pest control professional immediately to discuss a proper course of ant control.
Crazy Ant Prevention
To prevent Longhorn crazy ants, it is important to seal all possible points of entry around the house including small openings and cracks around doors and windows. Trim vegetation away from the home to prevent pathways inside. Food spills and other potential attractants should be cleaned up as soon as possible to avoid attracting crazy ants.
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