There currently are over 12,000 recognized species of ants worldwide, making them among the most diverse groups of insects in the world. At an estimated population of one million billion, or one quadrillion, they vastly outnumber humans and most other animal species.
Ants have existed for around 150 million years, living alongside dinosaurs and other long-extinct creatures. The only continent they haven't managed to colonize is Antarctica, and they generally prefer to live in areas with hotter, more humid climates. The most common and widespread species include carpenter, fire, pavement, and odorous house ants.
Despite preferring warmer environments, ants have also been found in the world's most remote corners and various unexpected and death-defying locations. They can survive below-zero temperatures and have even been discovered in areas that would normally be toxic and unlivable for other insects, such as at depths of 20 to 30 feet or more underground or in abandoned nuclear weapons bunkers.
Due to their small size, ants rely on their extremely large and complex colonies to survive. These colonies are typically made up of a queen, a group of males used for reproduction, and thousands of female workers with distinct roles assigned to them to perform different tasks. The worker ants might be responsible for retrieving food for the colony, caring for the queen's eggs, or even helping protect the colony from intruders.
These insects are highly collaborative and can communicate with one another in a variety of intricate ways. One of these communication methods is the secretion of pheromones that other ants can smell using their antennae. They can also use their antennae and limbs to send messages through touch. Ants create vibrations and sounds known as stridulations by moving and rubbing their limbs together. These detailed communication methods can quickly and easily signal one another where to find food, warnings to avoid nearby predators or other important information that benefits the colony's survival.
Unfortunately, these insects' resilience, intelligence, and highly collaborative nature mean they are quite difficult to rid from your home, garage, shed, or anywhere else they manage to take up residence. They are extremely skilled at adapting to their environments and can work together to repopulate their colonies if they are threatened rapidly.
Although many homeowners consider ants to be nothing more than repulsive, destructive nuisances, these tiny yet mighty creatures are fascinating and have massive ecological importance. While these insects can control other pests' populations, help aerate the soil, decompose rotting animal and plant matter, and even transport seeds of various types of plants to help them spread and thrive, finding them in our home or place of business is not a pleasant experience.
If you have found yourself at the mercy of a colony, don't panic: our licensed experts are well-equipped with the highest quality pest management and eradication techniques backed by years of research and experience. If you seek a quick and responsible way to eliminate an ant infestation, contact us today for a free estimate.
