Entomology
Ants are the most common insect around the world with such a wide varitey of species each region will have its own special ant species. While they are easy to get have they are also adaptive and can idenitfy posioned baits and traps.
- Three distinct bosy parts; head, thorax and abdomen
- Six legs attached to the thorax
- Strong mandibles cabablie of lifting up to 50 times its weight.
- Elbowed antennae with segments
Reproduction Cycle
The ant is a haplodiploidy meaning males are born from unfertilized eggs and females from fertilized eggs. females are the main workers of the nest with males being born periodically to help bolster the population. The life cycle of an ant can be broken down into four stages:
- Egg: 10 to 12 days to incubate
- Larva: 10 to 14 days to hatch
- Pupa: 10 to 14 days to pupate
- Adult: Males about 7 days. Females 1 to 2 years.Queens can live for decades depending on species.
Social Aspects
Ant are a highly social insect that not only has a complex social structure in there own colony but have partner themselves with other insects to form a thriving colony.
- Ants not only communicate amongs a colony of 50,000 they work with other ant colonies forming a super colony that can be in the millions.
- Ants use ahipds and a live stock, protect them in order to harvest honeydew that apdids produce.
- Pheromones are used for complex communication such are marking foods, idenitfying posions and general markings
- Ant have primative farming technics using aphids as a live stock they as will grow fungus as a food source with in the nest
Treatment Options
- Pouring boiling water can kill the colony assuming you know its location.
- Remove ant trails with an eqaul parts Vinegar and water solution. Strong essential oils can also be used to mask the ants trail.
- Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled on the ground around the plants and can act as a repellent.
- Borax acid mixed with sugar can act as a bait to kill off the ants.(not pet safe)
- Turn in to aluminum sculpture and remove from the ground
