Date: Mon, 27 Aug 2007 10:54:51 -0500
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Re: Strange ant behavior
The ant behavior you described, “building hills and holes in a straight line
across my gravel driveway. The line stopped right at the edge of both sides
of the driveway” is consistent with moving fire ants. There may also be
other ants that exhibit similar behavior.
Fire ants relocate their nests for a variety of reasons (better view, access to water, better jobs, who knows what ants prefer?). Typically they maintain tunnels just below the soil surface. When they reach something like a compacted gravel drive, the digging must be a bit more difficult forcing them closer to the surface. They may be relocating a nest or simply foraging on the other side of the drive. If you haven’t noticed a fire ant mound, it typically takes several months after a queen mates in the spring for her to build numbers sufficient for the new colony to be obvious. Small mounds often start to show up in the fall.Because fire ants feed on a wide range of insects and other small animals, they are sometimes regarded as beneficial. For those who don’t like fire ants or any other ants, some studies indicate that up to 90% of mated queens fail to establish a nest because they are killed by native ants defending their territory. Killing all ants may be counterproductive. Although fire ants haven’t been here forever, they are now one of the life forms with whom we share our world. In cases where control is merited, I would encourage you to review a strategy I have posted at http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/homehort/fireants.html
Remember the strategy is more important than the product. And control is usually more effective in cooler weather. Fall and spring are optimal.
alcooke
Al Cooke
Extension Agent – Agriculture
Chatham County Center
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
N C State University
PO Box 279
Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542.8202, FAX 919.542.8246
al_cooke.at.ncsu.edu
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/staff/acooke/home.html