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All You Need To Know About Ants
All You Need To Know About Ants
Ants are tiny insects that are easily recognisable thanks to their 3 distinct body regions. These are the head, the thorax and the abdomen; and they also have antennae. There are hundreds of species out there, but only a few of them are common in people’s homes and backyards, and can create problems.
They are social insects that form huge colonies of millions of members. They can eat just about any kind of food, and are especially attracted to sweets, meats, fats and oils. In their constant quest for food they end up foraging through buildings and gardens, building their nests in the most unfortunate places for the owners.
During dry periods they are also in search of water, so there is no wonder that humans and ants end up in the same places quite often. When an ant finds a source of food, it will bring other members of the nests in order to gather and transport the food back to the nest. This is how large numbers of ants can appear out of a sudden. So if you see any signs of ants on your property, it’s time to call a specialist and get the issue fixed as soon as possible.
Do Ants Cause Home Damage?
Some ants can even build their nests in foundations, potted plants, various areas of the home and even rotten wood and holes in sinks or toilets. Ants do not cause direct structural damage to homes like termites do, but they do take advantage of existing damages. And let’s face it, they are not pleasant and no one wants to have ants through their kitchen.
Outdoor nesting can create dumps of soil in gardens and destroy the appearance of a well-maintained lawn. Some species can even create large chambers close to the surface, which makes the soil soft and uneven. This becomes a big problem on golf courts, but it’s not ok for gardens either.
And least but not last, some species of ants can attack electrical wires. This happens because they are attracted to the insulation and the magnetic fields created by them. This is the most dangerous scenario and in this case ants can cause home damage. That’s why it is very important to take action as soon as you notice the first signs of ants, and call Safeguard Pest Control right away.
Even if you had ants before and they suddenly disappeared, you still need an inspection. Unlike termites who stick to a single location, ants can change their nest very quickly if they are disturbed or the food source is gone. But once they do find another source nearby, they can easily recolonise the place. That’s why you need to take precaution measures and stop them from reappearing.
Ant Societies
Ants usually form large colonies that have different types of members. First of all, there is the queen who’s only purpose is to constantly lay new eggs. Then there are the adult workers which are always responsible for building and maintaining the nest, for bringing food for the young ones and for the queen, and also for defending the nest.
An interesting fact is that all the adult workers are females. They are sterile and they do not lay eggs. Winged queens and male ants do exist, but they are present in the colony for only a short period of time. As soon as they emerge, they leave the colony in order to establish a new one somewhere else.
Workers in the colony can vary in size quite a lot. If they are all about the same size, they are called monomorphic. But there is also the case where large workers can be twice as big as small ones, and in this case they are polymorphic.
Ants have a strong division of labour, and certain workers only perform a certain task. This usually depends on their age. For example, young workers stay inside the nest and take care of the eggs and larvae, while later on they handle the construction and maintenance of the nest. Later in life, they will leave in search of food. This strong division of labour, amazing communication systems and cooperation allows ants to thrive in all sorts of environments.
The Life Cycle of Ants
As mentioned before, flying queens take off from their nests as soon as they are prepared. They begin the search of a male, and once mated, they start looking for a place to nest. When they find it, they shed their wings since they are no longer needed.
Then, the queen lays a few eggs and raises the young insects with special unfertilised eggs that she lays for this purpose. The first group of workers is now ready. They are usually much smaller than future groups of workers, and this is because the queen can provide a limited amount of food (compared to that offered by thousands of workers that search for food every day).
The colony continues to grow and when it reaches maturity, the queen produces new queens and males which will then create new colonies. They will leave the nest at specific times, and when this happens, thousands of males and queens leave at the same time. Mass emergences last for just a few days, and their only purpose is to mate.
Get Rid of Ants Now
Safeguard Pest Control is in business for more than 30 years and have offered prompt and reliable services to the residents and companies in the region. The products we use are environmentally friendly and we offer extended warranties and dedicated customer support.
We adapt our treatments based on the particularities of each property, and we handle residential, commercial and corporate areas, but also hospitals and schools. If ants are bothering your home or your lawn, don’t hesitate to contact Safeguard Pest Control now!
Whether you have issues with ants, termites, flies, mosquitoes, bugs, lawn grubs, fleas, mice, rats, geckos or other pests, we are here to help. Our treatments suit all budgets. Contact us today and we’ll get rid of the nasty pests! Call 07 5477 6675 or send us an e-mail at info@safeguardpestcontrol.com.au
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