Any of the around 10,000 species of social insects
(order Hymenoptera) that live in well-organized colonies and belong to the
family Formicidae. Ants are found everywhere, but warmer regions are where they
are most prevalent. They are between 2 and 25 mm in size (about 0.08 to 1
inch). Typically, they are yellow, brown, red, or black in color.
Why Ants are Essential
Improve Drainage and Aerate the Soil
Although earthworms receive all the praise, ants actually perform a better job of enhancing soil structure than worms. Ants considerably enhance the soil by creating nests and tunnels in the ground. In addition to improving air and water circulation in the soil, they redistribute nutrients as they transport soil particles from one location to another.
Enhance the Soil Chemistry
Ants keep a lot of food in and around where they build
their nests, which enriches the soil with organic matter. Additionally, they expel
waste and leave food leftovers behind, all of which alter the chemistry of the
compost for the better. Ant-affected soil typically has a pH that is closer to
neutral and is richer in nitrogen and phosphorus.
Chase down pests
Ants don't select their prey based on whether or not
it is a pest; they are just hunting for good, nutritious meals. However, a lot
of the animals that ants consume are animals that we'd like not see in huge
quantities. If the chance presents itself, ants will devour anything from ticks
to termites, and they will even gather to attack larger arthropods like
scorpions or stinkbugs. In agriculture areas, the annoying fire ants are very
effective at eradicating pests.
Ant Threats to Humans
Most ants in the United States are more of a nuisance
than a threat to human health. However, if allowed to go wild, ants can ruin
buildings, spread bacteria, and, in extreme situations, trigger
life-threatening allergic reactions. It is therefore best to stop an ant
infestation in its tracks.
Stings and Bites
Although fire and harvester ant bites can be
unpleasant and necessitate medical attention, they are rarely serious. Always
try to avoid getting bitten. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) provides advice on how to completely avoid bites:
• Take care when picking up objects off the ground;
• When working in the yard, tuck pants into boots or shoes;
• Remove ants as soon as possible.
Allergies
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology(ACAAI) estimates that 100 fatalities a year are caused by allergies to insect
bites or stings. Fire ants are a leading contributor to insect stings in the
United States, along with bees, wasps, and hornets. Fire ants sting and bite
simultaneously!
Ant Threats to Animals
Pets should stay away from anthills because of the
danger that fire ants pose to them. Put on protective gloves and exterminate
the ants by hand if your pet is harmed. If your pet is stung a lot, even though
it's usually not life-threatening, you should take him to the vet right away.
Use pet-safe ant elimination methods, for sure.
Seven Life Lessons You Can Pick Up From Ants
What can I learn from an ant?
In general, learning from the successes and errors of
others is the simplest way to live. To receive advise from someone who has not
yet reaped the rewards of your own ideas, such as a homeless man giving a
seminar on "how to become a millionaire," is more difficult. Ants, on
the other hand, are successful and repeatedly demonstrate success for humans to
learn from.
1. Ants have a specific mission
By purpose, I mean having a distinct, long-term
objective or goal that directs all of your actions. One ant's only
responsibility, for instance, is to find food for the colony. His chances of
success are increased because this is his goal and everything that he invests
his time and energy into.
2. Ants cooperate
3. Ants have a resting and working period
Ants must adapt to the cyclical nature of the year. As
a result, they gather food in the summer and hibernate in the winter to
conserve energy due to a scarcity of food. Knowing when to stop is important.
When you are burnt out, you suddenly quit up and stop
engaging in any form of job because you have reached your breaking point.
Simply put, you've had enough. You must plan for relaxation moments in order to
prevent this from happening, especially when a significant job is finished.
4. Ants have a huge mind
Now, due to their size, ants can appear to be among
the most insignificant creatures on the earth. However, the colonies they
create and the contribution they make to their society are quite significant
and substantial.
What lofty aspirations do you have for the future?
Follow those. You should constantly aim for something bigger than yourself, no
matter how small you believe you are.
5. Ants get prepared in advance
Ants stock up on food in the summer because they
anticipate a day when there won't be any in the winter. As a result, they are
continuously getting ready for a season that has not yet arrived. It stands in
stark contrast to how people behave. Sometimes your priorities are determined
more by what you feel like doing than by what needs to be done first.
The only way to make the most of any moment is to be
prepared for it. You will be able to effectively prepare if you plan forward
for that meeting, conference, or event and move backwards from there.
6. Ants carry burdens that they can manage
Even though they are tiny, ants can support up to 100
times their own weight. They understand their limits. We say "yes" to
commitments we can't keep and accept duties we find difficult to carry out all
too frequently. All we have to do is be aware of our limitations and never
cross them.
7. Ants help each other
It's lonely to live only for yourself. What can I do
for you? is a further step in the service of others. You begin to think bigger
than yourself and actively make a difference for others.
When only a few ants in a colony are infected with a
fungal disease, they lick the disease off one another to disseminate it across
the colony, giving each ant as much of the disease as their unique immune
systems can handle.
