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we're having trouble with tiny orangeish ants with an irritating bite.
We thought LFAs, but they are attracted to sugar and carbs, not protein baits like peanut butter. Terro seems to be working to kill them.
Does anyone know what they're called?
I suppose it's a good sign; I've heard that if you have LFAs, there won't be any other ants around. But the bites are still an annoyance.
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It's not a crazy ant is it.. Google the term hawaii crazy ant.
.. they have characteristics that give there name meaning..
..Bad boys,Bad boys what we gonna do...let ya out on bail for a buck or two...
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How about calling them (not) NLFA,
Don't be an sesquipedalian, Eschew Obfuscation.....
Sometimes, when I see the neighborhood children make small discoveries of their own, I wish I were a child.
With apologies to Dr. Seuss
Don't be an sesquipedalian, Eschew Obfuscation.....
Sometimes, when I see the neighborhood children make small discoveries of their own, I wish I were a child.
With apologies to Dr. Seuss
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These are probably Plagiolepis alluaudi. Very small, bright yellow-orange (more orange than LFA), move faster and often seen in larger numbers even if there isn't food around. They're mostly harmless but can bite and be a pain in the ass if there are a lot around.
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On a side note, I use 409 all purpose cleaner with lemon on ants in the house. Instantly kills, wipes their pheromone scent trail clean, and they don't come back. Also keeps the counters clean in a "semi" non toxic way.
Community begins with Aloha
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Midnight: pain in the ass, literally. They seem to prefer tender spots.
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"tiny orangeish ants with an irritating bite"
Just out of curiosity, do you mean an irritating bite or a painful sting?
Our LFA are attracted to and eat terro bait... sometimes. Eating it doesn't seem to effect the colony numbers. The ants die in huge ribbons going to/fro the terro bait but the colony lives on.
LFA do range in color somewhat, and color perception changes depending on ambient light.
The yellow Windex works the same as well Tink : )
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These ants eat pasta, fruit, sugar--anything left out.
And I said they don't go for protein baits, but they are attracted to the cat food, which in a tray with soapy water to keep them out.
The bite: a sharp pain like they are still biting for 5 or 10 minutes, goes away completely in maybe half an hour. Annoying rather than painful. I swear they go out of their way to come over and bite me.
The clerk at Home Depot said she was familiar with them and recommended Terro, but didn't name them.
I dunno, maybe they ARE fire ants, but with a more varied diet.
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They don't sting, they make a small bite and spray acid into it.
