How Do Termites Make Ant Hills?
WouterIf you’ve ever seen pictures of ant hills in southern Africa, then you’ve probably wondered how they got there. They look like little cities, but are actually made by termites.
Termites are social insects that live in colonies. They construct complex structures that can be as large as 17 feet (five meters) high.
Typically, they build mounds from soil and termite saliva. They do this as a home. The mounds are designed to keep moisture out. They also help the soil to remain breathable.
In fact, researchers have been trying to understand how termites build their mounds for years. They think that they do it because of changes in the environment.
Some of the termites that live in the colony have wings. They fly out when conditions are right. If they land on a victim, they will sting the person.
Some of these ants will even chew tunnels into wooden structures. These tunnels are very useful for raising the young.
Termites can be found in every part of the world. They are commonly found in arid areas. Termites can create mounds of soil as tall as 30 feet.
Termite mounds are often mistaken for ant hills. Usually they’re composed of sand. Often, they’re also built with a chimney-like opening.
There are three different types of termites. They are: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. These are the groups that carry out all of the work inside the colony.
During the summer, you’ll likely find a lot of ants in your yard. The best way to protect your property from an ant infestation is to keep your yard clean and uncluttered.
