Tom Rasberry Explained

Tom Rasberry is an exterminator from Pearland, Texas, who first identified the Rasberry crazy ant in 2002.^{[1] [2]} The ants have been known to short out many different types of electrical apparatus.^{[3] [4]} Rasberry estimates that he has spent over 2000 hours researching them.^[5]

Pest control career

Rasberry started Budget Pest Control in 1989; the name was changed to Rasberry's Pest Professionals in late 2009.

NASA career

The Johnson Space Center hired Rasberry in 2008 in an attempt to keep the ants out of their facilities.^[6] Rasberry found three colonies at the NASA site, but all were small enough to control.^[2]

External links

• Rasberry's Pest Professionals official website
• "Houston, We Have a Problem", Texas A&M University System – publication about Rasberry ants
• "Rasberry Crazy Ants", Texas Parks and Wildlife – publication about Rasberry ants
• Texas Invasive Plant and Pest Council publication about Rasberry ants

Notes and References

1. Web site: A Pest Without a Name, Becoming Known to Ever More. Ralph. Blumenthal. 2008-05-16. The New York Times.
2. Web site: NASA moves to save computers from swarming ants: Attack of the (computer) killer ants - pests taking out machines along Texas gulf coast. Sharon. Gaudin. Computer World. 2008-05-15.
3. News: New York Daily News / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Crazy rasberry ants, size of fleas, wreaking havoc across Texas . 2008-05-14.
4. Web site: Ants swarm Houston area, fouling electronics. USA Today / Associated Press. Linda Stewart. Ball. 2008-05-14.
5. Web site: Beware! Crazy ants on the loose. New England Cable News/ABC News. 2008-05-16.
6. Web site: Rasberry, we have an ant problem: Exterminator saves NASA from crazy ants. William. Atkins. 2008-05-17. iTWire.