If there are lots of Black Ants, does this mean I won’t have Termites (White Ants)?
This has to be one of the biggest urban myths. Sadly, it’s just not true, or that convenient. Black Ants are everywhere, in your house and garden. They are the most widely spread organism existing in most environments. They are undoubtedly abundant in our urban environments.
Black Ants are the most abundant insect on earth.
They make up two-thirds of the biomass of all insects. Ant experts (Myrmecologists - Yeah, there’s a word for them!) estimate conservatively there are 20 quadrillion ants on our planet. They exceed the combined biomass of wild birds and mammals and equal 20% of human biomass. (PNAS The abundance, biomass and distribution of ants on Earth. 2022)
So, if ants are everywhere, why do we still have Termites?
There are two main reasons Termites can operate where Black Ants are.
- They live in different environments. Termites mainly forage and live in a concealed environment. Their nests are deep in tree trunks and travel through their subterranean tunnels.
- Termites have learnt how to defend themselves by hiding and barricading from Black Ants.
Termites are vulnerable to Black Ant attacks. Termites and Black Ants don’t co-exist but can live just a few millimetres apart - as long as there is a shield of separation. If there is a breach in the Termite’s defence, Black Ants can overwhelm the Solider Termites and then feed on the nutrient-rich workers.
The battle plans out in our backyards every hour, every day.
Living next to the neighbour that is ‘Hell’
Watch this video that clearly shows how there can be just ‘mm’ between Termites and Black Ants.
Carpenter Ant - The great imposter
Black Ants will occupy old termite workings to nest, making it look like they have driven the termites away. This will only happen once the Termites voluntarily vacate.
There is one ant that acts like a termite and causes a lot of kafuffle. The large Carpenter Ant will burrow into timber damaged by fungal decay. It looks like they are eating the wood, but they are only hollowing it out to make space for their nest.
