7 BrilliANT Facts about Ants

Small but mighty may not describe anything more fittingly than ants. Often disregarded for their tiny size and perceived harmlessness, it’s hard to imagine ants as the number one pest problem in the United States*. But the reality is that they are the top pest problem – it takes guts, gumption and some serious adaptability to thrive for approximately 100 million years like ants have.

You shouldn’t underestimate these resilient pests, especially when it comes to your business. As the top structural invaders, ants have mastered breaking and entering. Their tiny size is just the beginning when it comes to how they’re engineered for stealth, which is one reason why they have successfully colonized the globe.

While their resourcefulness is worthy of admiration, it makes facing ants in a territorial standoff no easy feat. The best way to win the battle is to prevent one in the first place. To do that, check out our free Antcyclopedia, a quick reference guide to ant identification, attractants and prevention. In the meantime, up your ante immediately with the following ant fast facts!

Did you know?

1. When it comes to ants, there’s a lot more than what meets the eye. Ants seen outside the nest represent just 3-10% of the colony’s population.
2. Ants outnumber humans 14,000 to 1.
3. Bees, wasps and ants are from the same family – Formicidae. Unlike their extended family members, only reproductive queen ants and males have wings.
4. More than 700 ant species call the United States home, and about 40 of those are commonly found in businesses and homes.
5. Super strength is no super power for ants. Some species are able to lift up to 50 times their body weight.
6. Queen ants can live to be 15 years old.
7. Ant colonies operate with a highly organized social hierarchy and sophisticated communication methods, all of which allow them to protect themselves from danger. This means their populations can grow to numbers in the hundreds of thousands.

*Source - Ant Survey Executive Summary: Exploring America's #1 Nuisance Pest (http://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/pest-articles/ant-survey-executive-summary/)

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