Ants are social insects. Live in colonies that contain three castes- queens, workers and males.
Queens – lay eggs. Workers – sterile females, responsible for gathering food, feeding the brood and queen(s), and defending the nest.
Males- reproductive stage, dies after mating. Ants can be easily distinguished from termites by several characteristics.
Ant bodies appear constricted or pinched in at the waist (shaped like a figure below), while termites do not have the waist constriction.
Ants have elbowed antennae, while termites have straight, bead-like antennae. The forewings of ants are much larger than the hind wings. Termites’ wings are equal in size and shape.
ANTS management
1. Residual Spraying
Ants can be kept out of the house by applying an insecticide barrier around the exterior of the building.
2. CHEMICAL BAITING
To be effective baits must be placed in areas where ants frequent, eaten and be taken back to the nest.