Where Do Ants Live?
WouterThousands of species of ants are found all over the world. The United States alone has over a thousand different ant species. Some ants live in the wild and others live inside human structures. Some ants build their nests underground and others nest inside trees and buildings.
Ants are social insects. Each ant has a queen and workers. Queens can live for many years and lay millions of eggs. Workers live for much shorter periods. They help the queen raise the offspring. In some colonies, the soldier ants may live for up to seven years. They are armed with large mandibles for defense.
Ants prefer to live in natural environments. They can be found in deserts, forests, jungles, and even suburban areas. They will live wherever there is a source of food and water.
During the colder months, ants will hibernate. When the weather gets warmer, ants will go out for food and drink. They will also seek out sweet and sugary foods. They will swarm over these foods. If they find food, they will transport it back to the nest.
During the summer months, ants will work hard to find food. The worker ants will lay pheromone trails to tell other ants where the food is. They will also use their antennae to help them find food.
Some ant species will build their nests under rocks, trees, and other man-made structures. Carpenter ants build their nests inside man-made structures, while leafcutter ants cut leaves from trees for food.
