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Ants are social insects that live in colonies. About 10,000 species of ants have been identified, but only about 40 species of them are considered as pests in the human environment. A household insect survey conducted in Malaysia revealed household ants as the most important household pests after mosquitoes and cockroaches. Ants can enter through even the tiniest cracks seeking sweet or greasy substances in the kitchen pantry or storeroom areas. They leave an invisible chemical trail known as pheromones for others to follow once they locate the food source.
Ants can nest about anywhere in and around your house; in lawns, walls, stumps, even under foundations. They can number from 300,000 to 500,000 and whole colonies can uproot and relocate quickly when threatened. With comparative freedom from natural enemies, a colony can live a relatively long lifetime. Worker ants may live seven years and the queen may live as long as 15 years. |