Ants very interesting insects. But not so nice to have in your home. That’s why it’s important to know how ants work and what to consider. In this article you will learn more about the life cycle of ants, their behavior, and why it is important to seek professional help if you are suffering from an ant infestation.
The Life Cycle of Ants
Ants have an interesting life cycle that consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult ant. It is useful to know how and when to expect ant infestations. Therefore, we will now briefly walk through the complete cycle of the ant. This applies to all ant species found in the Netherlands and surrounding countries.
- Egg
The life cycle of an ant begins with an egg. The queen lays these tiny, white eggs that are so small you can hardly see them. An ant egg is often no bigger than a grain of sand. The eggs are carefully protected and cared for by the workers of the colony. After a few days to weeks, depending on the species and ambient temperature, the eggs hatch.
- Larva
After the egg hatches, a larva emerges. A larva looks a bit like a small, white worm and has no legs. At this stage, the larvae are fed by the workers with a mixture of food they collect and their own body fluids. The larvae grow quickly and molt several times before they are ready to pupate.
- Pop
When the larva is large enough, it turns into a pupa. The larva spins a silk cocoon around itself, in which the transformation to an adult ant takes place. This stage is also called the pupa stage. During this stage, the pupa resembles a mummy and does not move. Inside the cocoon, complete metamorphosis takes place, with the larva transforming into an adult ant.
- Adult ant
After a certain time, which can range from several weeks to months, the adult ant emerges from the cocoon. This may be a worker ant, a soldier or a new queen. The role of the ant within the colony is determined by the needs of the colony and signals received by the larvae during their development. Adult ants are responsible for various tasks such as collecting food, maintaining the nest and protecting the queen.
The Behavior of Ants During the Year
Spring and Summer
In spring and summer, ants are most active. These are the warmer months of the year when ants go outside in search of food to support their colony. You often see them in your yard, on patios and sometimes in your home as they search for food. Ants use pheromones to indicate food sources, creating distinct paths that other ants follow.
Autumn and Winter
When temperatures drop in the fall and winter, the habits of ants change. During these colder months, ants seek shelter and warmth to survive. This means they often invade your home in search of a warm place to hide. They will enter through small holes and cracks and may build nests in walls, floors and other sheltered areas. The activity of ants decreases during this period, but they are still present and can cause a nuisance.
Ants in the House
When ants invade your home, it is often because they have found a food source or a warm hiding place. Ants enter through the smallest cracks and openings, such as seams in the floor, walls or around pipes. They often build their nests in hidden places such as in walls, under floors or in cavities. Once inside, they can be difficult to control without professional help.
Ants can reproduce quickly if conditions are favorable. A queen can lay hundreds to thousands of eggs per day, meaning that a small infestation can quickly become a major problem. It is important to take quick action and seek professional help to prevent the infestation from spreading.
How Fast Propagating in the Home?
Ants can reproduce very quickly, especially if they have found a good food source and a safe hiding place. A queen can lay hundreds to thousands of eggs a day. If you don’t act quickly, a small infestation can quickly grow into a major problem.
What Attracts Ants?
Ants are attracted to food, especially sweets. Things like sugar, syrup and crumbs attract ants. Fat and protein can also be attractive to some ant species.
Why It's Important to Fight Ants
Hygiene
It is important to control ants. Ants can spread bacteria and disease, especially if they get into your kitchen. They crawl over trash, food scraps and other contaminated surfaces before running across your kitchen table and into your pantry cabinets. This can lead to food contamination and health risks for you and your family. In addition, some ants, such as the pharaoh ant, can spread bacteria such as salmonella and staphylococcus aureus.
Damage to your home
Some ant species, such as wood ants, can cause significant damage to wooden structures in your home. They dig tunnels into wood to build their nests, which can weaken the integrity of wooden beams, floors and other structures. Although wood ants do not eat wood like termites, the damage they cause can still be costly to repair.
Discomfort
No one wants a house full of ants. They can crawl into anything and cause a lot of nuisance. Ants in your home can disrupt your daily life by getting into your food supplies, crawling on your kitchen counter and even getting into your bed. Their presence can be particularly annoying during meals or when you have guests over.
If you notice that your home is infested with ants, it is important to take action quickly. A professional ant exterminator can help you address the problem effectively and ensure that the ants do not return. A small ant problem can quickly turn into a were infestation if you ignore it for too long.
