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Ants are social insects belonging to the Formicidae family that evolved from vespoid wasps. Together with the related wasps and bees, ants are members of the order Hymenoptera. More than ten thousand known ant species occur throughout the world, and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Ant colonies vary in size from a few dozen predatory scavengers residing in small natural cavities to highly organized colonies that may inhabit large territories and are made up of millions of individuals. Larger ant colonies consist of various castes of sterile, wingless females, most of whom are workers, soldiers, and other specialized groups. Almost all ant colonies consist of some fertile males known as drones and one or more fertile females called queens. Ants communicate with one another using pheromones, sounds, and touch. Ants attack and defend themselves via biting and, in many ant species, by stinging, many times injecting, or spraying substances, such as formic acid in the case of formicine ants. Ants perform many ecological roles valuable to humans, including suppressing pest populations and soil aeration. On the other hand, ants may become pests when they damage crops or invade Long Island homes and cause structural damage, necessitating the need for an ant exterminator.
Ant bodies are divided into three parts: the head, thorax (mesosoma), and abdomen. The gaster is the bulbous posterior portion of the abdomen.
Ants are equipped with a hard, waterproof exoskeleton composed of chitin.
Ants have three pairs of legs that are attached to their thorax. A hooked claw used for climbing and hanging on to things is found at the end of each leg.
Ants have a pair of elbowed antennae.
Ants have a petiole, a constricted area between the thorax and abdomen.
Ants possess two compound eyes.
Ants have three small ocelli, also known as simple eyes, on the top of their heads.
Ants with wings are either queens or males. Worker ants do not have wings.
The ant life cycle comprises four developmental stages, the egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. The whole metamorphic process can take up to sixty days from start to finish. White and shining, the tiny oval egg is where an ant's life begins. Fertilized eggs will develop into female ants and unfertilized eggs into male ants. Eggs will hatch into larvae, which are dependent on adult ants for nourishment. Larvae grow rapidly and molt several times during this stage, usually lasting between seven and fourteen days. When a larva is large enough, it will transform into a pupa.
The pupae stage is the third and final gestation period, which lasts six to ten weeks. The pupae of some ant species spin protective cocoons, while others remain uncovered. Finally, an adult ant will emerge from the pupa. Young adult ants are usually lighter in color but darken with age.
Queen ants are females that were fed more as larvae and are larger than workers. Queen ants fly to find mates and then lose their wings. Every colony of ants has at least one queen that lays all of the eggs.
Worker ants are nonreproductive wingless females and are the most numerous colony members. These ants perform essential tasks such as foraging for food, taking care of the developing brood, cleaning, and defending the nest.
Drones are fertile winged male ants that fly to mate with queens.
Allegheny Mound Ants - These ants are native to North America and build large mounds that serve as solar incubators for developing eggs and larvae. Allegheny mound ants inject formic acid into surrounding plants, trees, and shrubs, killing vegetation within forty to fifty feet of their mounds. Allegheny mound ant colonies consist of multiple queens. These ants hunt a wide variety of arthropods as a protein source and gather aphid honeydew as a source of sugar.
Carpenter Ants - These are large black ants indigenous to North America and are found throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. Carpenter ants construct nests inside wood consisting of galleries, usually in dead, damp wood. However, unlike termites, carpenter ants don't consume wood. Occasionally, carpenter ants hollow out parts of trees. Carpenter ants also frequently infest wooden structures, including Long Island homes and businesses, and are a significant cause of structural damage. Nevertheless, the carpenter ant's ability to excavate wood aids in forest decomposition. Carpenter ant workers forage for dead insects and sugary liquids at night.
Odorous House Ants - These small ants are native to North America and are also known as sugar ants, stink ants, and coconut ants. Odorous house ant colonies consist of multiple nests and contain multiple egg-laying queens. The size of odorous ant colonies varies from a few hundred to several thousand ants. Odorous house ants can be found in many habitats, including within Long Island homes, where they forage for sugary foods.
Pavement Ants - These ants are native to Europe and were introduced into North America. Pavement ants are also known as sugar ants and usually make their nests underground. Their nests are found beneath home foundations, sidewalks, pavements, and patios. Pavement ants are well adjusted to urban and suburban habitats and are among the most commonly encountered ants in North America. Although they don't usually nest inside homes, they may enter Long Island residences attracted by food.
Pharaoh Ants - The origin of these small common household ants that have been distributed worldwide is unknown. Pharaoh ant colonies contain many queens. Pharaoh ants are omnivorous and have a broad preference for the types of foods that they consume.
Thief Ants - These small ants are native to the United States and can be found throughout the country. They are also known as grease ants because they are attracted to grease. Thief ants are named for their habit of nesting near other ant nests, from which they steal food. They normally nest beneath rocks, in any exposed soil, or rotting logs. However, thief ants can live under the floorboards of Long Island homes. Thief ant colonies may contain several queens. These ants eat grease, meat, cheese, and seeds. Thief ants will also consume the larvae and pupae of other ant species and other insects.
Controlling ants is a multistep process. Getting rid of an ant infestation at a Long Island residence or business can be a complicated process, even for the most experienced ant exterminator. Although many products are available to Long Island homeowners that claim to get rid of ants, including carpenter ants, most don't live up to consumers' expectations. In the absence of the proper training, equipment, and restricted use pesticides, the eradication of an infestation of ants from your Long Island home or place of business is a venture that will prove to be unsuccessful. Therefore, you should contact the Long Island ant control professionals at Long Island Pest Control. Our Long Island ant exterminating experts have a vast knowledge of ant control methods and many years of experience combating ant infestations.
