Tawny crazy ants, also called Rasberry crazy ants, form huge colonies, swarm electrical equipment and resist many treatments. Here's what Texas homeowners should know.
By Time's Up Pest Control. Published 2026-10-22.
If you've seen reddish-brown ants running in jittery, random paths, often in numbers so big they cover the ground, you may be dealing with crazy ants. They are among the most frustrating ants in Texas, and store-bought products rarely make a dent.
The tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva) was first noticed near Houston in 2002 by exterminator Tom Rasberry, which is why many Texans call it the Rasberry crazy ant. It is an invasive species that has spread across many Texas counties since then.
San Antonio homes also see the longhorn crazy ant, a dark ant with very long legs and antennae that also runs erratically and invades kitchens.
Colonies have many queens spread across many nesting sites. There's no single nest you can treat to end the problem.
Baits that work well on other ants often aren't as appealing to tawny crazy ants. Bait choice and placement matter.
Populations can be so large that dead ants pile up on treated surfaces, and new ants cross over them to reach untreated areas.
Crazy ants are drawn into electrical equipment. They crowd into AC units, breaker boxes, outlets, pool pumps and well equipment, and can cause shorts and failures. If your AC stops working and you find a mass of ants in the unit, call an HVAC technician and a pest control company.
Crazy ant control is a program rather than a single visit. It usually combines non-repellent treatments around the structure, targeted baiting, removal of nesting sites and repeat visits through the warm season. Expect to see populations drop over time rather than disappear overnight.
Time's Up Pest Control treats crazy ants and other hard-to-control ants across San Antonio. We identify the species first, since that decides the treatment, then build a plan that fits your property. See our pest control services, read about fire ants, or call for a free estimate.
They run in fast, random, jittery patterns instead of the straight trails most ants follow.
Tawny crazy ants can bite, but they don't have a painful sting like fire ants. Their main harm is their huge numbers and damage to electrical equipment.
Store-bought products rarely control them because colonies have many queens and nests. Professional treatment programs work much better.
Time's Up Pest Control is a family-owned San Antonio pest control company serving homes and businesses. Licensed technicians (TPCL #877175), free estimates, satisfaction guarantee and 24/7 emergency service.
Phone: (210) 868-2267
Email: info@timesupbugs.com
Address: 1800 NE Interstate 410 Loop, Suite 216-B, San Antonio, TX 78209
Services: Pest Control, Termite Control, Pest Prevention, Commercial Pest Control