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Crazy Ants Munch Through Houston

Shocking new ants species chewing up electrical equipment

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted May 15, 2008 3:12 AM CDT

(Newser) – Houston, you have an ant problem. Billions of ravenous ants have invaded the city and are chomping their way through the city's electrical equipment, causing shorts and failure, AP reports. The previously unknown species—dubbed "crazy raspberry ants"—apparently arrived in Texas on a cargo ship. The invading army is resistant to conventional ant pesticides.

Experts aren't sure why the ants are so attracted to electrical equipment but warn they're spreading fast and have been spotted near NASA's Johnson Space Center. "They're itty-bitty things about the size of fleas, and they're running everywhere," said a local woman plagued by the ants. "If you've seen a car racing, that's how they are. They're going fast, fast, fast. They're crazy."

"Crazy rasberry ants" pepper a cloth in Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tom Rasberry, an exterminator, lets "crazy rasberry ants"%u2014named after him%u2014crawl on his arm. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Exterminators say there is one plus to the crazy ant invasion: the species eats fire ants. (AP Photo)

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Crazy Ants Munch Through Houston

Shocking new ants species chewing up electrical equipment

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Crazy Ants Swarm Gulf Coast

Tiny, frenetic munchers invade homes, snack on electrical wiring

Bedbug Dogs Sniff Out Bloodsuckers

Trained hounds in high demand as infestations rise

'Super Termite' Found in Fla.

Fast-eating bug known to cause panic among homeowners

Windows Shot at Congressman's Office

Texas Rep. Gene Green's office may not have been intended target

Texas Top Seller of US Guns Traced to Mexico

Washington Post probe reveals leading dealers

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Shocking new ants species chewing up electrical equipment

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Texas • Houston • ants • insects • pests • exterminators

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Crazy Ants Swarm Gulf Coast

Tiny, frenetic munchers invade homes, snack on electrical wiring

Bedbug Dogs Sniff Out Bloodsuckers

Trained hounds in high demand as infestations rise

'Super Termite' Found in Fla.

Fast-eating bug known to cause panic among homeowners

Windows Shot at Congressman's Office

Texas Rep. Gene Green's office may not have been intended target

Texas Top Seller of US Guns Traced to Mexico

Washington Post probe reveals leading dealers

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Newser By Users

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