Welcome. This is the ultimate site for all things ants & termites. We hope you enjoy exploring the rich content on this site. Learn everything from: which ants are beneficial to your garden, how to build an ant farm, and which colleges have the best entomology programs to how to control unwanted ant colonies in and around your home
The queen ant is located in the heart of the ant colony. Whether you are working with a colony that has a single queen or a couple, without this particular kind of ant, then there would not be a solution to perpetuate the species. Queens are usually protected and well cared for to guarantee the […]
If you think of ants, you may not consider lunch, but that is exactly what these pests are into many. Ants make an excellent food source, rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Due to their small dimensions, they make ready prey for several creatures ranging from other insects to humans. Though hunters likely won’t […]
Using borax to kill ants is an effective method that benefits most homeowners, we shall tell you how borax works, and how you can use borax powder to kill ants. If you left something sweet in the pantry, sooner or later, you will notice ants crawling all over the sweet goody or swimming in […]
Get Rid of Ants: Ants are one of the most difficult pests to get rid of. However, there are some natural ways to remove this pesky pest from your home, a few of which are discussed in this article. Ants have the reputation of being one of the toughest pests to get rid of, especially […]
Have you come across a white powdery substance in your household that is used as an ingredient for cleaning purposes? Borax! To know about borax uses, Borax (also known as sodium borate/ sodium tetraborate/ disodium tetraborate) is a boron compound that is used in detergents, cosmetics, fiberglasses, insecticides, etc. The term borax originated from the […]
Ants are a vital part of the ecosystem and contribute to the health of environments all over the world. When found in their natural habitats, ants are busy clearing the ground of organic matter such as dead animals and dead insects. They also clean up leaf litter, create fertile topsoil, and are an essential part of the food chain.
Ant colonies that are living in or around your home can become a real nuisance. Depending on the species, ants can spread bacteria, parasites, and other nasty pathogens. They can also damage your lawn, garden, and even your home. Protecting your family and your home from the threat of ant infestations is an ongoing process that requires the knowledge and expert advice found at termite-treatments.com .
What Is an Ant Colony?
You may see a line of foraging ants or a single and search for food, but this is only scratching the surface of an ant colony. Ant colonies are intricate family units numbering in the thousands or the millions. Colonies of ants work seamlessly together to create elaborate nests where they reproduce, raise young, and store food.
Ant nests are unique to the species of ant that create them. For example, army ant workers form a nest out of their own bodies to protect the queen and the young while carpenter ants create nests by burrowing into dead trees and the damaged wood of a home. And, fire ants build an underground nest as deep as 7 feet with a mound of dirt capping off the nest that can be up to 2 feet high.
There are aggressive ant colonies and there are docile colonies that only defend their nests when threatened. Fire ants are some of the most aggressive ant species and can sting and bite, causing harm to humans. Most ant bites and stings are minor, but some people have severe allergic reactions, so caution should be taken when dealing with ant colonies.
The Structure of an Ant Colony An ant colony is the definition of structure. There are castes or groups of ants that perform different tasks within the colony. These castes include queens, males, and workers. Queen ants are responsible for laying eggs; males are necessary for reproduction but die soon after they mate, and worker ants are females that forage for food and tend to the young inside the nest. All of the castes work together to keep the colony healthy.
Worker ants are the backbone of the colony and carry out separate duties. Some of the workers take care of the eggs, larvae, and pupae and never leave the nest. Other workers leave the nest in constant search of food and water. Typically the largest ants of the colony will travel furthest from the nest while the smaller ants remain closer.
Many ant colonies have more than one queen and can create separate colonies through the process of budding. Budding occurs when one queen takes a few workers to create another nest, beginning a new colony.
How to Locate an Ant Colony Locating an ant colony can be as simple as following a line of foraging ants back to their nest, but it isn’t always that easy. Even if you locate a visible mound, the colony is usually several feet beneath it. Carpenter ant colonies can be difficult to locate, especially if they have made a nest inside the walls of your home. In cases where ants are nesting in your home, you may not know where the colony is until signs of cosmetic damage begins to show.
If you feel that you are dealing with an ant infestation and can’t locate the colony, a professional pest control agency can be of service. They will be able to identify and eliminate the threat, whether inside or outside. Professionals will also implement a plan to reduce the chance of future infestations.
How to Get Rid of an Ant Colony The method of getting rid of an ant colony depends on where the nest is located. For ants that nest underground, you will need to use treatments explicitly made for ant mounds. These treatments are usually liquid-based and used to saturate the mound. Depending on the dimensions of the mound and how deep the nest runs, more than one treatment may be necessary to kill the entire colony.
If you have carpenter ants nesting in your home, special slow-acting ant bait is used. The ants take this bait back into their nest, which is inaccessible to humans. Once the bait has been delivered to the nest, it is fed to all other ants, including the young and the queen. The bait will then slowly begin to kill off the colony from the inside out. Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to your home, possibly compromising its structural integrity. If you have carpenter ants, it is strongly recommended to seek out expert help from a professional exterminator.
Many different types of ant colonies can be controlled with the use of ant baits and non-repellent and sprays. If you like natural remedies, you can use vinegar, baking soda, cinnamon, or essential oils to help keep ants at bay. Regardless of how you choose to deal with ants, a preventive approach is always best.
Taking preventive measures such as keeping a clean house clear of food debris, trash, and clutter will help keep ants out of your home. Keep an eye out for cracks in the foundation and poorly sealed windows and doors,. Any possible entryways should be sealed off.
You can go a step further by keeping landscaping plants and shrubs trimmed away from your house. Keeping mulch and landscape timbers at least a foot away from your foundation is a great ant deterrent. Though ants can help the environment, they can also be a pest, and with a little research, time, and effort, you can protect your family and home from infestations
Guideline subterranean termites
/0 Comments/in termites /by wael omarSubterranean and Other Termites Termites incorporate a big and various institutions of ecologically and economically important insects that feed on cellulose, principally in wooden. Worldwide there are over 2,600 species of termites; in California, there are at least 23 distinct species. Although many human beings associate termites with poor impacts, in nature they make […]
FREE guide to information about flying ants in your home
/0 Comments/in termites /by wael omarflying ants Misconceptions about Flying Ants Ants aren’t generally thought of by humans in terms of endearment. In fact, most people then to think of flying ants or as nasty, dirty, destructive, disease-carrying, and even dangerous little insects. While some species can be truthfully accused of these things, generally people have strong misconceptions about ants […]
Flying Ants in House: Effective Prevention Methods
/0 Comments/in termites /by wael omarFlying ants in the house is a common, albeit relatively harmless, annual phenomenon, especially in the Northern and Eastern states. Most ant species pose no threat, and the swarms start to dwindle in as little as a week. Swarms of flying ants can be seen during the summer months, and although the ants themselves are not […]
how to destroy carpenter ants nest ?
/0 Comments/in termites /by wael omarDestroying Carpenter Ants’ Nests This article about keys to identifying carpenter ants and their nest so you can create your own carpenter ants extermination plan. Big black ants are called carpenter ants and although their name stands for building furniture, these ants, on the contrary, destroy furniture and foundational boards made of wood. These ants pose no threat […]
Swarming Termites Facts
/0 Comments/in termites /by wael omarSwarming Termites A swarm is a large number of insects or small organisms that are in motion. They can either crawl or fly. There are a lot of insects that are associated with swarming. Killer bees can swarm to aggressively attack invaders. This can be painful. But the most alarming are swarming termites. Let us […]