Hobbies And Interests
Features
Ants are one of the few social insects in the world; bees and termites are similar in this respect. As such, they need to make space for their society and build elaborate cities out of dirt, wood and sheer determination. Generally speaking, ant hills are just the entrance to these underground warrens and the result of the ants' incessant digging. Inside the ant hill, there are special chambers where the queen lives and is fed, producing thousands of eggs. In another chamber, the ant larvae and eggs are stored by worker ants. Other chambers hold food for the colony (who will feed on it throughout the cold or wet days, weeks or months), as well as chambers for other ants. Ant colonies are continually growing and almost never sleep and so are in constant search for food. Scout ants look for promising signs of high-value food (sugar, dog or cat food, picnics) and return to the ant hill, leaving a chemical trail the whole way so other ants can find their way to the source(s). Other worker ants set out to find the food, break off chunks, and transport it back to the ant hill.
Types
Different ants have different kinds of homes. North American ants typically live underground with small ant hills to mark the entrance. In Africa and Australia, ant hills can rise several feet from the ground in huge, hard towers made of dirt and dried ant saliva. Nevertheless, the same basic structure remains, just the size and proportions have grown. Sometimes these ants are larger--up to 1 inch in length--and can cover more ground than typical North American or European ants.
Identification
Though kicking over an ant hill will create a flurry of activity from the ants, this is merely irritating and frightening to them. They will eventually rebuild. For a better idea of what a typical ant hill looks like underground, the time-tested "ant farm" offers the perfect window into an ant's world. Originally debuting in the 1950s, ant farms have remained a staple of science fairs and mail order catalogs ever since. After setting up the "tank" by filling it with a special sand, ants are then sent away for and arrive by mail. Placing the ants in the farm sets their activity in motion as they quickly establish a miniature colony. Newer models offer a see-though gel that is both food and home to the ants.
Considerations
Knowing how ants construct their cities can help decide how to deal with the creatures if they become a nuisance. For instance, some chemical sprays may only coat the interior of the ant hill (the above-ground part) but may fail to filter down into the warrens where the queen and the ants live. In this case, the ants simply collapse the tunnel and open another one farther away, and you are back to square one. Sometimes flooding an ant hill, usually through a garden hose stuck into the hill, can work to drive the ants away at least temporarily. There are chemical treatments from pest control companies (such as terminex) that set out bait to lure worker ants into bringing poison back to the nest, feeding it to the queen, and killing off the colony. Similar versions can be bought in stores for the do-it-yourself homeowner.
Warning
There are some North American ants that are more troublesome than typical ants, however. For instance, "fire ants" have a painful sting and are very aggressive toward intruders, stinging and biting by the hundreds if not thousands. Fire ant infestations should always be handled by a professional as their protective gear and treatments are designed to deal with fire ants.
Even the treatment of regular ants can, over time, poison your immediate environment. For instance, the consistent use of poison sprays can leave a residue on furniture, walls and floors that can be absorbed by pets or small children and cause illness. Insect "foggers" release a highly toxic cloud of pesticide and should only be used while out of the house. Immediately vent your home afterward and wash surfaces with warm, soapy water.