Ants are enormous in number, and they are usually found in colonies. Ants are really busy creatures; you will always find them working or collecting food for their entire colony. They also build their nest by working together, and there is a lot of unity among them.
Finding them inside your home is not uncommon, especially if you are living in Prosper, Texas. Different species of ants have distinct features that define them. They also have other behavioral characteristics that can help you distinguish them.
One thing you should know is that a common characteristic among their different species is that they all build nests. Usually, you will find their colonies near food sources or in places where they can find water. In order to know which one you are dealing with, you need to have a basic idea about the behavioral patterns that set a particular species apart.
Contacting professional pest control services can also be of great help if you are trying to get rid of them. See details about the professional pest control services found in your area. It can help you better deal with them.
What is their colony like, and what roles do they play?
As discussed before, ants are usually found in colonies, and they are huge in number. These insects are also known to work together in groups to make the work faster and more efficient. You may find them in millions.
Their behavior is also well coordinated, which is not something that is usually found in many other animals. There are different castes among them, which define their respective role. There are primarily three castes that are typically seen; we will look at them one by one:
- Queens
Queen ants are females in their caste system, and they get fed more than others, especially at their larval stage. These ants are bigger in size than worker ants. Queen ants are known to lay all the eggs, which are even in millions in some cases.
These insects also possess wings and can fly in search of a mate. When ants have to form a colony, they tear off their wings. Once the mating is done, the queen starts to create a new colony. They also raise the offspring in the new colony.
- Worker ants
These are also females, but as compared to queens, they were fed less during their larval stage. They do not possess wings and do not reproduce either. They are known to do many different jobs in the colony, whether it is collecting food, making a nest, or taking good care of the young ants.
- Male ants
These possess wings and can also fly, so that mating can take place. They are not known to do anything in the colony apart from mating with queen ants. Once they are done with mating, they die afterward. Thus, you may not see them apart from when they are mating.
What are the ways in which ants communicate?
There are many different ways in which ants communicate; we will look at some of the ways here:
- Body language of ants
There are different body movements in ants that indicate various things. For instance, if they raise their abdomen, it is to give acknowledgment to the other ants in the colony.
Some evidence-based studies also suggest that ants can even teach things to each other through demonstration. There is a learning called “tandem,” which is a process through which one teaches the other how they can find a nest or get to the food.
- Defending techniques among ants
If there is any threat nearby, ants use pheromones and also make use of different body parts to give an alert signal. They send vibrations that help alert other ants.
When they are in large numbers, that is where their power lies. Some species of ants, such as fire ants, army ants, etc, are known to sting humans if they feel threatened.
Get a pest control company to help with the infestation; do not delay the treatment, as it will only create more problems for you.
