"ANTSY ABOUT ANTS

The following information comes from Balance©, a semiannual publication of Crane Pest Control for its commercial and industrial clients and special regulatory agencies.

"ANTSY ABOUT ANTS?"

In our Spring 1988 edition of BALANCE we recounted our response during a television interview regarding the benefits of ants. This past summer, along with the drought and heat, nature conspired to energize these creatures, so they have become temporarily our Number One Pest! It's never too late in the season to review the basic behavior of ants in an attempt to more effectively control their incursions into our homes and workplaces.

Ants come in a variety of sizes ranging from as small as 0.8mm (about 1/33 of an inch) to 4cm (about 1.6 inches) in length. They have the distinguishing characteristics of a narrow pedicel composed of one or two joints between the thorax (our neck and upper back area) and abdomen. In other words, they have a narrow waist like a bee or hornet connected by one or two tiny spur-like projections. They also have characteristic elbowed antennae.

They can be easily distinguished from termites which have a broad connection at their waist, straight bead-like antennae and four wings essentially equal in size.

Their sense of smell is very acute and derives from the complex sensory organ we call antennae (the two "feelers"). There are small projections on the rear of their legs which are used as scrapers to keep the antennae clean and clear of dirt.

What appears to be their jaws (called the mandibles) are used more as tools or hands, not for chewing. They cut, bite and hold with them but use a tongue-like organ from within to suck-up or absorb food in liquid form.

Yes, depending upon the specie, some can sting and others bite. The toxins they inject also vary and can be formic acid, histamines, hemolytic chemicals or even a specific alkaloid. In certain native cultures their bite has been used to suture wounds and their toxins used as a form of medicine.

The life of a colony begins when a new female queen, fertilized in a nuptial flight, makes a nest for her first batch of eggs. She feeds her young who, when mature, leave the nest and are now responsible for caring for the next generation of young. This cycle continues while the population grows astronomically. In theory, a worker ant can live up to seven years. Contrary to what we expect in a beehive, there can be more than one queen ant alive and well in a single nest.

Their food requirements and choice vary among species and conditions. Some ants appear to favor "sweets," others are meat eaters, and others zero in on seeds. No matter what they eat, however, the role of the worker is to secure the food and return it to the nest. There it is regurgitated and fed to the entire population.

continued...

A fascinating characteristic of some is their nurturing of aphids and other plant pests. It has to do with the food value of the by-products of plant pests being a requirement for the ants. This is why some forms of ant control consist of supplemental treatments to eliminate the plant pests, their source of food.

There are certain plants which encourage the presence of ants. Mallis Handbook of Pest Control cites fig trees, bamboo, oleander and cherry laurel as four examples.

What practical finding can we glean from these behavioral traits?

Ants live in nests which in most instances are in the ground. The source then is usually found outside or underneath the premises which they invade. Tight security in terms of caulking cracks, closing off spaces around pipes and perhaps maintaining a chemical (insecticide) barrier around the exterior of the building are deterrents. Examining the grounds for nests and any nearby foliage for the presence of aphids could be significant. Keeping heavy vegetation away from buildings seems reasonable. And last but by far not least is good housekeeping. No matter how great their sense of smell or taste, if there is no food around to attract them, they will seek greener pastures.

If the climate is too hot, cold, wet or dry, ants will move on...and they are always, always and forever in search of food.

For more information you can contact us at 1(800) 592-7777 or

You may also email us at CraneInfo@CranePestControl.com

Back to index