What Are Ants Good For?
WouterThousands of species of ants inhabit planet Earth. These insects live on every continent except Antarctica. They are very useful for farmers. They can provide pest control without poisoning crops.
They also play an important role in seed dispersal. These insects transport seeds to more nutrient-rich areas. They also help to protect seeds from seed-eating animals. This is especially helpful for plants in harsh environments.
They also aerate the soil. This is crucial for crop production. When ants aerate the soil, it increases the availability of nutrients in the soil. This increase in nutrients leads to better plant growth.
They also clean up dead animals and other debris on the ground. They also help to break up the soil. This breaks up the soil, making it more fertile.
They also create habitats. When you see anthills in your garden, you are seeing the first hint of how important these insects are in your garden. Anthills vary in size depending on the species. Some are so small that they are barely noticeable. Other anthills are several feet high. Some anthills are connected by massive networks of tunnels.
Workers ants are female ants. They are smaller than the queen, but they are the ones that care for the colony. They are responsible for the health of the colony and keep the nest clean. They also help to protect the nest from predators.
During cold weather, ants come together to overwinter. They then return to the nest to re-build it when the weather warms up.
