Ants

Ants are social insects, there is more than 10,000 known types of ants around the world, many of them are found in and around human houses, ants are considered a vital part of the ecosystem and they contribute to environmental health all over the world, as it cleanses the earth of organic materials such as Dead animals and dead insects, create fertile soil and they are also an essential part of the food chain.

Ants are divided into many classes, workers, males and queens, damage caused by ants varies from one type to another, most of which are primarily a source of inconvenience for homes. Knowing the type of ants in your home and the foods you eat helps you control ant colonies and effectively eliminate the insect, and if you do not You can determine the type of ants in your home, you can contact the experts of the pest control company in Jeddah to help you in this task.

Ants external appearance 

Ants differ in color from yellow to red to brown and black according to the type of insect, ants contain three distinct parts of the body which are the head, chest and abdomen, all types of ants have a pair of antennas in the head area, and the area between the chest and abdomen is very narrow Ants are very similar to termites, they often cause confusion especially by homeowners, they can be distinguished by the narrow waist region between the abdomen and chest in ants, unlike termites, as the ants also have large heads, strong antennas and jaws. termites are white or creamy, while ants varies from black to brown or red.

Ants colonies

Ants consist of four types, the queen, males, flying ants, workers, workers consist of females, which do not have any wings and their size ranges between 1/20 inches to about 1/2 inches, workers vary in size and are divided into large workers and small or secondary workers, the queens and males are the groups responsible for the reproduction and expansion of the colony size, and the males usually have the same size of workers or greater and they have wings and a small head with large eyes, they are found in the large colonies and their only goal is to mate with the new queens and die shortly after that .

The Queen is the largest member of the colony, often two or three times larger than the workers, and has wings but is broken after mating and has very large stomachs and can live for several years.

Ant matting

The male and queue swarms fly from the nest in the breeding seasons, and they mate during a specific time of the year. After mating, the female seeks the appropriate nesting site and begins the formation of a new colony. The presence of winged ants inside the building is an indication of the presence of ant colony.

Ant food

Ants communicate and collaborate with their colleagues using chemicals called pheromones, they can alert others to danger or guide them to a source of food. ants usually eat nectar and seeds, fungi or insects. However, some species eat dead animals and organic materials, in homes ants are attracted to carbohydrates. Sugars and fatty substances such as sweets, butter and sugar, which feed on leftovers and crumbs that homeowners leave in the kitchen or in the dining room.

Social behavior of ants

Ants are social insects, they usually live in organized societies that may be found under the ground, in the hills, above the ground level, or in trees. Where ants live in wood and can destroy buildings, some species defy the base and do not have permanent housing. That searches for food for its colonies during periods of migration, ant societies are headed by the Queen, whose function in life is to lay thousands of eggs that ensure the colony’s survival, while the working ants are without wings and never reproduce as they generate and care for the Queen and work within the nest and protect his community.

Ant damage

Ants cause a lot of damage to homeowners, according to the type of ants that invade your home. For example, the Pharaonic ants invade the house for food and pollute the surfaces and foods that go on it, while the carpenter ants weakens the wood in the structures, in general the ants cause a lot of Problems, ant colonies that live around or inside your house can become a real inconvenience, as ants can spread bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens, and it can damage your garden and your home, so protecting your family and home from a threat Infection with ants is a process Continuous should not stop.

Where do ants hide in homes?

Ants inside the house are found in many places, whether in the kitchen or bathroom, so examine the basins and toilets for any leaks or drops that attract the ants to the house looking for shelter, food and moisture, where the ants can easily find a way to enter the home even through the smallest cracks, other areas of the house are  common hideouts including interior walls, bedrooms, living rooms, basements, air conditioning and heating units To prevent the ants from finding a way to leak into the interior, homeowners must resist insects outside, as experts recommend closing any cracks with a silicone seal, fixing holes in window and door screens, plugging cultures around the bottom foundation and windows, and keeping plants and trees away from House so that insects do not get inside easily.

How to get rid of ants?

• Knowing the location of the ant colony and the foods it eats is the best way to get rid of it.
• Spray diatomaceous earth where the ants are.
• Wiping floors with disinfectants that have a strong smell.
• Wiping floors with vinegar because it has an ant repellant effect.