Habitat

Ants are found throughout the world. They are very social insects and live in colonies consisting of a queen, female workers, and males. The species of ant determines where the ants are found.

They may build subterranean nest or build nest on trees. Nests can be seen in the ground, under logs or stones, inside logs, acorns and in hollow stems.

Some ants avoid nest sites that have dead ants, as this indicates pest presence or the presence of disease. Ants rapidly vacate a nest, if they sense danger. Ants also build nests in buildings, walls, electric appliances and windows.

Ant communities are headed by a queen or queens, whose function in life is to lay thousands of eggs that will ensure the survival of the colony. Workers (the ants typically seen by humans) are wingless females that never reproduce, but instead forage for food, care for the queen's offspring, work on the nest, protect the community, and perform many other duties.

During the winter months in colder regions, ants will become inactive, while in warmer regions, ants continue their lives at their normal pace.