How Can Ants Help Us?
WouterDespite the fact that they are a pest and often pose a threat to our pets and children, ants can also be beneficial. They contribute to crop production and have many other benefits.
Ants are also effective decomposers. There are several species of ants that can turn dead animal and plant material into soil.
They can help protect plants and trees from termites, and they also protect seeds. Seeds can survive in nutrient-rich ant nests. These anthills are a good place to start if you are trying to grow crops.
They also help fertilize the soil. They help improve soil quality by breaking up dead plant material, restoring nitrogen to the food chain, and by adding nutrients. Ants also help aerate the soil by digging tunnels. These tunnels allow rainwater to penetrate the soil more effectively.
Ants also help spread seeds. They carry seeds from the colony to new areas. Depending on the type of ant, this process is known as myrmecochory.
In some species, the anthills are so large that they tower several feet into the air. Some anthills even have an underground network of connected chambers. These tunnels are useful because they allow water and oxygen to travel deep into the soil.
Ants also help protect sap-feeding insects from predators. They also play a role in aphid control. Many ants also produce fungi gardens. Some species also prey on the larvae of other household bugs.
One of the more interesting aspects of ants is their ability to make intelligent decisions. Using their antennae, worker ants follow pheromone trails to find food. They then lay down chemicals and pheromones to attract food. They also use mandibles to shape food.
