Not only are ants incredibly strong and able to haul materials far exceeding their own body weight, they also happen to be excellent architects. For decades, scientists have had an idea of what underground ant nests looked like, but with the help of plaster molds and painstaking work, experts can recreate 3-D models of entire nests. Taking a close look at their habitat has revealed more than ever about the secret life of ants.
Self-Organization
A colony of ants is able to create a vast nest full of intricate tunnels and chambers. The most amazing part of this feat is that it all seems to be instinctual or dictated by self-organization. There isn’t a head contractor directing the project. Instead, thousands of ants work together to achieve a common goal without any clear leadership. This has lead scientists to think of ants less as individual creatures and more as parts of a super-organism.
Life Span
Part of what makes a nest run like clockwork is that each ant is assigned a specific job. Besides the queen, there are also worker ants, who construct the nest and harvesters, who are responsible for collecting enough food so that the brood can continue to expand.
Clearly, ants are super intelligent creatures that are programmed for survival, which can present a real challenge if they have invaded your home. For help controlling and eliminating ants, call Allison Pest Control today.