IndexWhy ants enter the houseDetecting ants in the houseRisks and dangersAllergiesPreventing antsCultural significance of antsContributions to the ecosystemWhat to do in case of ant infestationThey live in artificially created anthills in class “societies”. Most societies of ants compromises between workers, soldiers, drones and queens. Ants prefer sweets, sugar, foliage and rarely products grain base.Workers collect the food and return it to their hives, where they store it for future consumption. Some ant species leave acidic traces around for guidance. Say no to plagiarism measure on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Why do ants enter your homeWhen ants enter your home, they are looking for two things: food and shelter. Ants may enter your home because food has been left without be sealed. This includes sugar, honey, pet food, ripe fruit, flour, etc. Juice and soft drink containers were thrown into the bin without rinsing. Your counters haven't been cleaned in a while and are covered in sticky stains and various scents. There is a valve leak or water buildup on your property. It's seasonal: Ants come indoors in the summer because they need to work harder to gather food for the winter. A hotter, drier climate means more ants in your home. It's biological: some ant species prefer to build their nests indoors. This includes Pharaoh ants, carpenter ants, and pavement ants. Ants are ubiquitous: they are literally everywhere. Your home can easily become infested with ants if there are beehives nearby. Your yard, rotten wood, and even cracked driveways are a perfect place for those insects to call home. Ants enter your home through cracks between walls, into the basement, or through the air between wall panels (if you live in a paneled house). Detecting Ants in Your Home Unlike most other pests, ants can be easily detected. They don't hide from humans and come out during the day, which makes it easy to spot live insects. A single specimen may not indicate an infestation but the regular appearance of more than one indicates a problem. Some species, such as the Pharaoh ant, leave a transparent trail of pheromones in their path. Those tracks glow under bright light and have an unusual odor. Ant nests are more difficult to locate. They may seem as innocent as piles of dirt or debris on the ground. Risks and Dangers Although ants are not known to carry diseases, they still spread debris, unsanitary material and allergens on your property. They can also cause extensive damage to the telephone, electrical and computer networks on your premises. At least one mass blackout in the UK was caused by a hive of out-of-control ants near power cables. Such accidents can easily cause a fire. Although small, their mandibles are powerful enough to sever wires and damage your appliances. Ant bites are often painful, especially for young children and infants. Allergies Unlike cockroaches, few people are allergic to ants. However, ants can be ingested much more easily than cockroaches. Their small size allows them to remain unnoticed in your food. They also leave a trail of pheromones that some people are allergic to. Ant bites can cause swelling and inflammation. They usually do not need treatment.