What Are Crazy Ants?

CC BY: Daniel Mietchen

Speaking of devices, crazy ants are known for shorting out electronics.

They are attracted to gadgets such as air conditioning units, computers and other devices in their search for new cavities to build nests. But that’ just the start. Live Science reports, "When the crazy ants enter these devices, their bodies can create connections between electrical contacts, which can lead the circuits to short out and electrocute the ants. This causes them to release an alarm pheromone, a scent ants use to communicate that they are 'under attack,' likely attracting the ants' kin to come and fight, LeBrun said. This creates a vicious cycle that can leave appliances broken and full of dead (and angry) ants."