Exploring the Fascinating Phenomenon of Ants Circling
If you've spent any time observing an ant colony, you may have noticed ants occasionally walking in a big circle together. This somewhat mystifying behavior has an important purpose for the colony. Let's take a closer look at why ants start circling and what they are trying to communicate.
Reasons Ants Form Circles
Ants primarily circle for the following reasons:
To Protect the Colony
When ants spot a threat to the colony like an insect intruder or other predator, they will band together and start circling around it. By joining together and moving in a rotational pattern, they can trap and immobilize the intruder. The circling confuses and disorients the intruding insect or spider while the ants investigate and determine how to neutralize the threat.
To Mark and Defend Territory
Circling also helps ants define the boundaries of their colony's territory and defend it. Ants will patrol the perimeter of their nest in a circular marching pattern, keeping a lookout for any foreign ants from other colonies. If an outsider ant crosses into their circular path, the ants will break from their circle to attack and drive it away.
To Protect Food Sources
When ants discover a new food source like a sugary spill or dead insect, they create a circular wall around it to protect the food from thieves. Ants exiting and entering the circled area gather and deposit pheromones, chemical scent markers that continually refresh the boundary.
To Alert the Colony of Changes
The circling pattern also allows ants to quickly communicate changes or threats back to the colony through pheromone secretions and physical contact. If one ant spots danger, it can quickly spread the signal by touching antennas with the next ant, allowing the information to rapidly reach the rest of the colony.
To Guide Other Ants
In some cases, ants will form circular "guidance paths" to show other ants in the colony the way to food sources or newly discovered shelter. The pheromone trails laid down by the circling ants help guide their nestmates along the right route.
When and Where Ants Are Most Likely to Circle
Understanding when and where ant circling behavior occurs can help identify nest locations and prevent future infestations:
Around Food
Watch for circular ant paths on countertops, kitchen floors, and other places where food is prepared or consumed. The ants are likely protecting and directing others to the food source.
Around Water Sources
Ants circle around plumbing fixtures, pet water bowls, condensation, and other moisture sources they find indoors. The circle helps corral the moisture while alerting other ants where to find it.
At Points of Entry
Circling ants near windows, doors, cracks in walls, and along the exterior of a building show where ants are gaining access. Sealing these entry points can cut off the supply line to their nest.
Under or Around Objects
Pay close attention to items you see ants actively circling like potted plants, stacks of materials, and furniture. It often signals the location of a hidden nest.
Along Baseboards and Walls
If you notice ants marching single file or circling around floor trim or up walls, it likely leads back to the main colony's nest.
In Warm Months
Ants become most active in spring and summer when warming temperatures allow them to forage farther away from their nests. This is when circling to protect food sources and mark boundaries is most common.
Unique Ways Ant Colonies Circle
There are a few particularly fascinating examples of specialized ant circles:
Death Circles
Some species like fire ants are known to form circles around weakened members of their own colony who are close to death. The circling behavior isolates the dying ant from the rest of the colony. Once the ant dies, ants carry the body away from the nest.
Spiral Ant Walks
Certain types of ants, like army ants, conduct circular raids by walking in a spiraling pattern away from their temporary nest. This allows them to cover an expanding circular area as they hunt for food in a dense swarm.
Rotating Circles
Leafcutter ants have been observed walking in a circle while rotating their bodies in a kind of ant "dance." Researchers believe this circular motion helps the ants better assess their surroundings.
Circle of Life
Ants will sometimes carry their dead in a circular progression around the outskirts of their nest. This "funeral procession" allows the colony to collectively mourn the dead and may strengthen social connections between ants.
What To Do If You See Ants Circling
When ants start circling in your home, it often means a colony has become established nearby. Here are some tips for control:
Find and Eliminate Food Sources
Clean up any sugary spills, regularly empty garbage, store food in sealed containers, and follow other practices to remove easy access to food. This makes conditions less hospitable.
Seal Possible Entry Points
Caulk, weatherstrip and seal any cracks and openings you see ants marching out of or circling around. This cuts off their routes into your home.
Use Natural Repellents
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth, cinnamon, peppermint, or vinegar where you see ant circles to disrupt scent trails and deter them.
Set Out Targeted Bait Traps
Traps with borax or other insecticidal bait will attract and kill foraging worker ants that eat the bait and bring it back to kill the rest of the colony.
Call an Exterminator
For severe infestations, contact a professional pest control expert. They have industrial strength insecticides and bait formulas to effectively eliminate ant colonies.
Avoiding Future Ant Circles
Once you get rid of an existing ant problem, there are some prevention measures you can take to help avoid ants circling in your home again:Store Food Properly
Keep food sealed tightly in containers, clean up spills immediately, and do not leave pet food sitting out to avoid attracting foraging ants.
Dehydrate Your Home
Eliminate moisture sources like leaks, condensation, and standing water that draw in ants looking for water.
Block Entry Points
Seal cracks, small holes, and other access points ants can use to enter your home.
Clear Away Debris
Keep yard debris, stacks of materials, and other clutter far from the exterior walls of your home where ants could nest unnoticed.
Use Preventative Ant Sprays
Treat your property periodically with natural or synthetic insecticides to deter ants from taking up residence near your home.
In Summary
When ants begin marching in circular patterns, they are sending important signals about defending territories, preparing to attack threats, and guiding each other to food, water or other materials critical to their colony's survival. Pay attention to where you see ants spinning circles so you can locate and destroy their nests. Removing ant colonies quickly when you spot this behavior can prevent much larger infestations down the road. While ant circles may look strangely fascinating, they mean business for protecting the colony. Taking the time to properly understand the reasons ants start circling gives you valuable insights to prevent future ant trails encroaching on your property.
FAQs
Are ant circles harmful to humans?
Ant circles are not directly dangerous to humans, but can indicate a large ant colony has become established in or near your home which does pose problems through contamination and damage.
How long do ants circle for?
Ants may circle for hours to days depending on the purpose. Territory defense circles and food protection circles tend to be more permanent while other circling is temporary.
Why do ants suddenly start circling in my home?
Sudden ant circling usually means a colony has found a significant food or water source they are defending and recruiting more ants to collect. Sealing off these resources can eliminate the behavior.
Can I break up an ant circle?
It is difficult to permanently disrupt ant circles which quickly reform. The best solution is eliminating their nest so the ants fully abandon the area and any circling patterns.
Do ants ever get stuck circling and die?
Ants use pheromone trails and physical contact to avoid getting trapped circling endlessly. While individual ants may die or be replaced, the circle continues as long as needed.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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