Discovering What Makes Ants So Strong

Even though they might disrupt and frustrate precious ecosystems and homeowners, ants are a remarkable insect. They’re one of the most populated animals on the planet, and despite their slight stature, when they work together they can be one of the most efficient team-working systems that exist. Of course, having a huge number of teammates helps, but each one of them is capable of carrying an unthinkable weight in comparison to their small size. Some studies suggest that certain ants can handle pressures up to x5000 times their individual weight. How can these tiny creatures be so incredibly strong? Becoming acquainted with this aspect is essential if you want to decide if it’s time to decide if it’s high time to hire ant control experts or otherwise. Read on to find out more and therefore help you come up with a sound decision.

How Can Such a Small Thing Be So Strong?

A lot of research has been conducted to try and determine just how these insects are capable of carrying such incredible weights. Engineers hope that the understanding of ant limbs and joints may help them transfer the impressive technology to other mediums, such as robotics. Their structure is the main reason they can withstand such huge pressures. The soft tissue structure around the neck joint and its connection to the head and body create an incredibly strong exoskeleton. Since their skeleton exists on the exterior of their body, their muscles aren’t needed to support it and instead transfer the majority of their strength to what they’re carrying. There are also small bumps on their exterior which create many different layers on the chest, neck, and head. Scientists believe this multi-layered structure helps to add strength to their frame. This minimizes stress on crucial, delicate components. Another thing to be aware of is that ants have their phenomenal strength as a result of their small size. Consider the physics behind their muscles and body shape – muscle strength is proportional to the cross-section surface area. Their small bodies, which happen to be incredibly light, help explain their strength. Since their hard exterior is so tough, their muscles don’t have to support them in the same way they do with other animals (including humans). It’s believed that if ants were to exist with much larger dimensions (try not to imagine it, but let’s say human-sized ants) then they would, in fact, be remarkably weaker. Their muscles would be required to support their hugely increased body weight, and less of their strength would transfer directly to maintaining the load that they’re carrying.

How They Use That Strength

Ants use this strength in a number of ways and certainly aren't guilty of wasting their talent. There are thought to be over 100 different species of ants in Ontario, many of which you’ll never come across. Some of these species are capable of causing destruction and because they multiply in numbers so quickly, you may be dealing with an infestation. In this situation seeking expert advice or care is a good option. Ants use their extraordinary strength to build their nests and colonies, with some species tunneling through surfaces and creating underground networks. While they don’t necessarily need this strength to find food, they certainly need it to transfer it. Huge mounds of food including other insects, fungi, seeds and even waste human food are transferred substantial distances from the source back to their nest.

When Ant Strength Becomes a Problem

We’ve discussed the remarkable strength of ants and frustratingly, they’re clever enough to use it to damage your garden and property. They can rapidly infest your lawn; more importantly, they can destroy the structure of your home. Ants can chew through wooden structures, cabling, and insulation. If they decide to use their strength to build their colony on your property, then you have a serious ant control problem. It’s highly recommended that you seek the services of expert pest control technicians to eradicate it.