Leafcutter Ant
Leafcutter ants can cut through the entire leaves of some plants, hence their name. Clever, huh? Parasol ants, cut ants, fungus ants, town ants, and night ants are other names that leafcutters respond to.
Most leafcutter ants live in topic or, at least, hot climates such as tropic areas. However, the U.S.’s southwest is perfect for certain species of leafcutter ants. So, if you happen to live within their areas of distribution and you notice holes or rips in the leaves of your plants in your beautiful garden, leafcutter ants may be visiting. They usually like to focus on one type of plant. If there is damage to your sunflowers, but not your tulips or peonies, leafcutters may be responsible.
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Leafcutter ants own many amazing attributes. For example, they vibrate their jaws in order to make incisions in the leaves. Their jaws can vibrate up to 1,000 times per second. These little ants are amazingly strong. They can carry leaf pieces that are over 30 times their own weight. If you had the strength of a leafcutter ant you would own the world’s weight lifting title. You would also rule the furniture moving industry.
Leafcutter ants do not actually eat leaves they cut. They actually use leaves for a different purpose. After they cut the leaves they carry them deep into their nests. Thousands and even millions of their fellow leafcutter ants then assist in chewing up the leaf parts. By chewing them, they help a fungus grow. The ants then enjoy a delicious meal of fungi. Yummy!
 Leafcutter ants on banana leaf |
These ants can cause a lot of damage to your home. They are capable of building large mounds in your yard and ruining beautiful plants. Here are some tips to eliminate leafcutter ants from your home:
- Apply dust insecticides in the mounds. Leafcutter ants make many entrances in their nests, so make sure to treat every hole.
- If your neighbors have leafcutter ant mounds, you can spray your plants to keep them safe. Pick an insecticide that controls against chewing insects. (It will say this on the label.)
- As soon as you see a mound in your yard, find out what kinds of critters inhabit it. The sooner you take action, the better. Leafcutter ants can reproduce quickly. You might have to deal with thousands of them if you procrastinate.
If you are unsuccessful in eradicating the leafcutter ants, do not become discouraged. Remember, leafcutter ants are extreme pests to deal with because of the size of their colonies. Call your local exterminator for more assistance.
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03 Nov 2008, 17:05