Mississippi (US): the tawny crazy ant, an invasive ant that gets into electrical equipment, spreads from 4 to 7 counties after 15 years at a standstill

Mississippi State University Extension (MSU Extension) reported on 6 October 2026 that the tawny crazy ant (Nylanderia fulva), an invasive ant native to South America, has been identified in 2026 in three more counties, Wilkinson, Marion and Perry, bringing the total to seven, after about 15 years in only four southern coastal counties.

Main points

• According to ant taxonomist Joe MacGown (Mississippi Entomological Museum), the earliest US record is from Illinois in 1931; populations exploded in Florida and Texas in the early 2000s, and the ant was identified in Mississippi in 2009 (Hancock County) before spreading to Harrison, Jackson and Pearl River counties.
• Identification: small, reddish-brown, very hairy ants with long antennae and legs that run around erratically instead of following trails; the biggest giveaway is the sheer number, often hundreds of thousands or even millions (“super colonies”). They do not build mounds like fire ants but nest under rocks, fallen limbs, leaf litter or firewood, and spill indoors when outdoor numbers are high.
• They do not sting and their bite is minimal, but they often get into electrical equipment and short out wiring; once established in an area they are unlikely to be eradicated. MSU Extension entomologist Santos Portugal said pest management professionals in the coastal counties, Louisiana and Texas are reporting a much more active year than normal, with no explanation yet.
• Homeowners are unlikely to manage large populations on their own and should call a reputable pest management professional. Success is measured by keeping the ants out of the house and other sensitive locations, not by total elimination, and follow-up treatment is often needed. Once MSU confirms the species in a new county, professionals may treat more extensively with a specific product.

VPMA’s note

Lessons for managing invasive ants in huge numbers: confirm the species through a laboratory, aim to protect homes and equipment rather than eliminate every ant, and plan for follow-up treatment. Members who find unusual ant infestations in switchboards or equipment should record them and send samples to a specialist unit for identification.

Source: MSU Extension – Tawny crazy ants spread to 7 Mississippi counties (summarised in English by VPMA). Read the Vietnamese page.

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