Ant colonies exemplify an admirable social order that works with a smoothness and efficiency that is unmatched in any other species. With a mere brain the size of a poppy seed, these impressive creatures build nests, forage for food, organize scouting missions, protect and nurture their young, and do it all without the “benefit” of supervision, micro management, government laws and regulations or even the threat of punishment. How is all this possible? What’s going on in those tiny ant brains?
The answer is in the ant’s advanced sense of smell. Each ant has a specific body odor associated with its designated task. For example, when sentry ants return to the colony, their scent triggers the other ants to know it’s safe to go out and forage for food. Young ants have a particular scent, too, letting the nurturer ants know that they need extra protection. As the young ants grow, their scent changes, signaling the end of their “needy” phase.
All this helps explain why ants seem to miraculously “find” even the smallest morsel of crumb left on a countertop. It also explains why a whole army of ants will march neatly in line for what seems like miles to make a relay chain to bring back food for the colony.
It takes a specialist trained in the understanding of ants’ behaviors to rid a household of this pest. Contact us today for solution options.