Have you ever heard about the tawny crazy ant? Well, in this article we will tell you all about it because it means a threat for Florida and other ecosystems in the United States. According to Edward LeBrun from the University of Texas, this species of ant affects the biodiversity and local wildlife. What’s more, studies of IFAS at University of Florida and reports from the Smithsonian magazine, show how these insects damage bees and hives.
We know plagues are no good for us, but this tawny crazy ant is even damaging for our electronic devices! So, let’s learn more about this species, its consequences, and whether there’s a solution for it.
Alert in Florida: a dangerous ant is causing a lot of problems
In some places in the southern United States, especially in Florida, there is a new plague that is worrying scientists and people a lot: the tawny crazy ant. Even though the name might sound a little funny, the truth is that these species are causing a lot of damage to nature, homes, and even animals.
What are these insects?
They are insects that are not from the United States. They actually come from South America, and they arrived here somehow (like on ships or transported goods). What makes these ants dangerous is that, since they are not from here, the animals that usually eat ants do not recognize them as prey, so nothing stops them.
Unlike other ants, these ones do not fight each other, even if they are from different colonies. That’s why they can easily join together and form huge supercolonies, where millions and millions of these insects live together.
Why are they a problem?
There are several resons why these species are doing a lot of harm, so let’s have a look at them:
- They invade houses: They get into homes and crawl everywhere. They are attracted to electricity, so they can get into things like microwaves, computers, TVs, etc., and damage the wires, making the devices break or even causing short circuits.
- They bite: Even though they don’t have venom like other species, their bites are painful, and if there are a lot of them, it is almost impossible to avoid being bitten.
- They attack animals: These insects don’t just bother people. They also attack many other animals, like spiders, caterpillars, beetles, lizards, birds, and even small bunnies. Sometimes there are so many that they cover the animal completely and suffocate it.
- They affect nature: In the places they go, many other insects disappear, like bees, and that affects pollination, which is key for plants and trees to produce fruits and flowers. There have also been cases where these ants attack and destroy entire beehives.
- They change the whole ecosystem: A scientist, Edward LeBrun, said that in the areas controlled by these species, you no longer hear crickets, birds, or other natural sounds, because the ants have taken over everything.
Are they worse than other ants?
Yes, they are! Some people even say they prefer to have fire ants (which are already very aggressive) instead of these. Why? Because tawny crazy ants are much harder to control, they reproduce faster, and there aren’t many products or methods that eliminate them completely.
What can be done?
There is no easy solution yet, but scientists are studying ways to stop them. Meanwhile, it is crucial that if someone sees a lot of strange ants together, especially if they get into electronics or walk in long messy lines, they call a pest control service or tell an adult in the case of children. Who would have thought this tiny insect could be so harmful?