As a gardener, you’ve likely noticed ants marching across your garden beds. And if you look closely, you may spot some carrying small white objects. This often causes concern about what they could be transporting. But before jumping to conclusions, keep reading to discover what’s actually happening.
It’s Probably Not Eggs
Many gardeners think that the round white things that ants carry are eggs. However, ant eggs are microscopic – barely visible without magnification. What are the white bits that are too big to be eggs?
It’s the Pupa Stage
The white specks being hauled around are actually ant pupae The pupal phase is part of complete metamorphosis in ants After hatching as a larva, the ant passes through several larval stages. It then forms a protective pupal case and transforms into an adult inside.
Worker ants carefully transport these pupae during this vulnerable process. That’s why the colony gets ready to defend itself when it feels threatened: the workers are in a hurry to get the young animals to safety.
Why the Confusion?
It’s an easy blunder to mix up pupae and eggs. Both are small oval and white. But ant eggs are only 0. 3-0. 5mm, while pupae span 2-6mm. Eggs are also immobile, whereas pupae can be carried.
Larvae Come First
To understand the sequence, recall larvae hatch from eggs. These larvae look like worms and don’t have legs. They depend on workers for food and care. When they are fully grown, larvae turn into pupae and change into adults with wings that can reproduce.
An Essential Process
The pupal stage seems fragile but is crucial in the ant life cycle. Inside the protective casing, the larva basically dissolves then rebuilds as an adult. When complete, the adult chews out and joins the colony.
Formidable Defenses
Ants have evolved impressive defenses to protect vulnerable young. When disturbed workers immediately seize pupae in their jaws and rapidly relocate them. Some species even have specialized soldiers solely for transporting pupae.
A Positive Sign
Seeing ants move pupae can be disturbing if you fear garden infestation. But it also signals a healthy, reproductive colony. And ants provide ecological benefits like aerating soil, dispersing seeds, and eliminating pests. So while occasionally bothersome, watching their reproductive process reminds us of nature’s intricate miracles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the white bits ants carry?
The white particles are pupae – the transitional stage between larva and adult. The pupal casing shields the developing ant as it transforms inside.
Why do ants move their pupae?
Ants carefully relocate pupae for protection when the nest is disrupted or damaged. Moving them to safety ensures the next generation survives.
How to distinguish ant pupae from eggs?
Ant eggs are microscopic, around 0.3-0.5mm. Pupae range from 2-6mm, large enough for transport. Eggs are also immobile, while pupae can be carried.
What do ant larvae look like?
Ant larvae are tiny, worm-like, and legless. They fully depend on workers for care until pupating. Larvae look nothing like the mobile white pupae ants transport.
Why do ants suddenly begin carrying white things?
When ants rapidly start hauling white particles, it likely means their nest was disrupted. The white bits are pupae being evacuated to a backup nest for safety.
So rest assured, those tiny white blobs shuttling around your garden are not a smattering of eggs, but juvenile ants mid-transformation! Understanding the pupal stage allows you to take the ants’ busy activity in stride.
What do ants eat?
Ants eat small insects and other invertebrates and their eggs, as well as plant sap, fruit, and aphid honeydew. Some ants are attracted by sugar and may come into your home if theres an easily available food source.
Red ants (Myrmica) can sting, but for most people this is just a minor irritation. And red ants are less common in gardens. Other ants can bite, but rarely puncture the skin. An ant bite might feel like a sharp pinch. The pain will go away when you brush the ant off your body.
How to get rid of ants indoors
Some gardeners use sprays, powders and even boiling water to get rid of ants. Remember that ants are part of the garden ecosystem and are a vital source of food for other species, such as birds and amphibians. Insecticides in sprays and powders can kill bees and other insects. They can also get into the soil and hurt earthworms and other invertebrates that live there.
Here are some kinder, non-toxic methods of deterring ants, without harming them or the environment:
1. Locate the source of infestation
If ants are coming into your home, the most important thing to do is find out why. Try to see where theyre travelling to or coming from, which should alert you to the presence of an available food source – be it an open bag of sugar or jar of jam with the lid not fixed on properly. Once you have found the food source, remove it, and the ants should return outside.
2. Use vinegar to remove ant trails
Teams of scout ants leave pheromones to alert other ants to the source of food. You need to get rid of the pheromone scents that the ants left behind if you want to keep them from coming back. One part white vinegar to three parts water should be sprayed on and then wiped clean with a damp cloth. This should destroy the pheromone trails and stop the ants in their tracks.
3. Deter ants with scented oils
To deter ants from your home, mix strongly scented peppermint or lavender oil with water and spray the mixture on to entry points like windowsills or door frames.