Ants

Ant species come in a wide range of colors (black, brown, red, yellowish and combinations of these), and sizes (1/16 to 1 inch in length). All species of ants have a larger and wider forewing and a smaller hindwing. This characteristic makes it easy to distinguish an ant from other species such as termites (both the front and hind termite wings are even in length) Ants communicate by touch and smell. They lay down chemical trails and constantly touch each other to pass on their nest odor. Ants use there antennae to pick up the sent. When some species bite, they are able to squirt formic acid from the end of their abdomen into the wound -- making it even more painful. When ants find food, they lay down a chemical trail, called a pheromone, so that other ants can find their way from the nest to the food source. The scent trail is long lasting and invisible to our sight. Foraging ants pass food by a mouth-to-mouth process called trophallaxis. Colony eradication provides permanent relief, so it is important to remember that the first priority of an ant management job is to locate the nest or nests and treat them with an attractive bait or with granules.