Why do Ants Walk in a Straight Line?

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If you’ve ever had an infestation of ants in your kitchen or bathroom, you ""may have been led to the problem by seeing them moving one by one across the floor or up the wall. But, have you ever wondered why ants stick together when they travel?

As worker ants leave the nest to find food, they leave behind a chemical trail called pheromones. The ants walk in a straight line because they follow the scent the leader left behind. Once the ants find food and head back to the nest, they will lay down another trail of pheromones, allowing others to pick up their scent and follow the same route.

Other Ways Ants Communicate

Bumping into each other is another way ants correspond. When ants want to alert others about something that could be useful to their colony, they use their antennas to touch or “bump” other ants to pick up their scent. This lets them smell the unique scent of each ant before informing them of their discovery.

When it comes to body language, an ant will lightly brush against another ant to create a jaw reflex, allowing them to taste what they have eaten. Lastly, while we may not be able to hear the sounds ants make, they do signal each other by rubbing their legs against their bodies.

Nuisance Concerns

While ants are fascinating creatures, you don’t want them living inside of your home or taking over your yard. The hills that ants build not only look ugly, but they can also kill the individual grass plants in your yard by exposing the roots. Another way grass plants die is from being smothered by the ant hills and not receiving the proper sunlight.

When it comes to the inside of your home, ants build nests behind baseboards, countertops, moldings, etc. They feed on food such as starches, meats, fats, and sweets. Ants are more of a nuisance concern than a cause for damage concern. Pharaoh ants infest food, while carpenter ants can weaken wood structures.

Contact us for Ant Control

If ants are bugging you, contact the Critter Control® of Tampa. Since 1983, we have been the industry leaders in pest control. We will work closely with you to figure out the best solution for getting rid of your ant problem and safeguard your home from their return. Call us today for a free estimate.

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