{"id":2177,"date":"2021-11-09T13:46:48","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T05:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/?p=2177"},"modified":"2023-09-19T20:16:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-19T12:16:04","slug":"do-ants-eat-termites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/","title":{"rendered":"Do Ants Eat Termites?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Yes, ants eat termites. In fact, ants are among the primary predators of termites. They actively hunt them and rely on them for nutrition.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll look deeper into this predatory relationship as we discuss the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Which ants eat termites<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why do ants eat termites?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How do ants eat termites?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll also touch on whether or not ants can serve as indicators and control agents of termites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/do-ants-eat-termites-b-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"do ants eat termites\" class=\"wp-image-3249\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/do-ants-eat-termites-b-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/do-ants-eat-termites-b-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/do-ants-eat-termites-b-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/do-ants-eat-termites-b.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Megaponera_analis_major_killing_macrotermes_soldier.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">ETF89<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_64 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Which_Ants_Eat_Termites\" title=\"Which Ants Eat Termites?\">Which Ants Eat Termites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Why_Do_Ants_Eat_Termites\" title=\"Why Do Ants Eat Termites?\">Why Do Ants Eat Termites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#How_Do_Ants_Hunt_Termites\" title=\"How Do Ants Hunt Termites?\">How Do Ants Hunt Termites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Are_Ants_a_Sign_of_Termites\" title=\"Are Ants a Sign of Termites?\">Are Ants a Sign of Termites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Ants_for_Termite_Control\" title=\"Ants for Termite Control\">Ants for Termite Control<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Related_Questions\" title=\"Related Questions\">Related Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Who_Will_Win_Ants_or_Termites\" title=\"Who Will Win Ants or Termites?\">Who Will Win Ants or Termites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Can_Ants_and_Termites_Live_Together\" title=\"Can Ants and Termites Live Together?\">Can Ants and Termites Live Together?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Are_Ants_Worse_Than_Termites\" title=\"Are Ants Worse Than Termites?\">Are Ants Worse Than Termites?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#What_Eats_Termites\" title=\"What Eats Termites?\">What Eats Termites?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-termites\/#Summary\" title=\"Summary\">Summary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_Ants_Eat_Termites\"><\/span>Which Ants Eat Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most ants eat termites. Apart from strictly herbivorous ants, any ant that finds a dead termite will gladly eat it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also ants that actively hunt termites. These ants include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Carpenter Ants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Matabele Ants<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Eurhopalothrix heliscata<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Iridomyrmex rubriceps<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Iridomyrmex sanguineus<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_Ants_Eat_Termites\"><\/span>Why Do Ants Eat Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As highly opportunistic eaters and pretty much everything. So it isn\u2019t surprising that ants eat termites. To them, termites are a food source that they rely on for energy and nutrition, and a good one at that.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Termites are soft-bodied and fleshy insects, making them quite <strong>easy to eat<\/strong>. Their colonies can also consist of up to millions and are thus enough to <strong>feed ant colonies of similar size<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, termites are <strong>quite nutritious<\/strong>. They&#8217;re rich in protein, iron, calcium, and essential acids which ants need to survive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s also the fact that some ants share the same living conditions as termites. This makes them direct <strong>competitors over territory and resources<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Carpenter ants, for example, are wood-infesting ants. They commonly encounter termites as they dig through wood and readily fight them. They don\u2019t hesitate to kill and eat termites to the point of wiping out entire colonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_Ants_Hunt_Termites\"><\/span>How Do Ants Hunt Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Fascinating Matabele Ants\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/sAo2jnPm14w?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants are quite creative with how they hunt termites and do so in a variety of ways. For example, Matabele ants hunt termites by <strong>conducting raids<\/strong>. They gather thousands of workers to attack termite nests discovered by scouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, the ant species <em>E. heliscata<\/em> hunt termites through the very wood that houses them. They <strong>press themselves in tight places<\/strong> and seize any termites they encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, some species like the <em>Iridomyrmex rubriceps<\/em> and<em> Iridomyrmex sanguineus<\/em> play it smart. They <strong>build their nests in termite mounds<\/strong> to regularly prey on termite workers.\u00a0[<a href=\"https:\/\/www.antwiki.org\/wiki\/images\/a\/ab\/Heterick_&amp;_Shattuck.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.antwiki.org\/wiki\/images\/a\/ab\/Heterick_&amp;_Shattuck.pdf\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Ants_a_Sign_of_Termites\"><\/span>Are Ants a Sign of Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>No, ants are <strong>not a sure sign of termites<\/strong>. There are <strong>many other things that attract ants<\/strong> to an area. For example, ants are attracted to moisture and other food sources like meat and sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some ants also infest wood. So even ants around wooden structures could not guarantee the presence of termites. See this article to learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/do-ants-eat-wood\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2574\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wood-infesting ants.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ants_for_Termite_Control\"><\/span>Ants for Termite Control<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While it may seem like a feasible idea, <strong>ants don&#8217;t work for termite control<\/strong>. Sure, ants can deter termites and possibly even remove them from your home. But that\u2019s not a certainty.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some ants <strong>deliberately stop attacking termites<\/strong> when they&#8217;re about to be wiped out. This is to <strong>preserve the food source<\/strong> and make sure they can keep coming back for more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-are-carpenter-ants-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"what are carpenter ants\" class=\"wp-image-2652\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-are-carpenter-ants-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-are-carpenter-ants-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-are-carpenter-ants-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/what-are-carpenter-ants.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Carpenter_ant_(9097912858).jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">photochem_PA from State College, PA, USA<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/2.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">CC BY 2.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s also the fact that <strong>ants can also be pests<\/strong>. Carpenter ants that have the same living conditions as termites can end up damaging wood as well. In fact, when left unchecked they can cause structural damage similar to termites. See this article to learn more about <a href=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/what-are-carpenter-ants\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"2647\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">carpenter ants<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, who\u2019s to say that ants won\u2019t start <strong>invading your kitchen<\/strong> and go through your own food?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So at the end of the day, if you have termite problems you\u2019d be better off <strong>relying on an exterminator<\/strong> instead of ants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Questions\"><\/span>Related Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"536\" src=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Do-Ants-Eat-Termites-2-1024x536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Do-Ants-Eat-Termites-2-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Do-Ants-Eat-Termites-2-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Do-Ants-Eat-Termites-2-768x402.jpg 768w, https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Do-Ants-Eat-Termites-2.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Megaponera_analis_raiding_termites.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">ETF89<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/4.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">CC BY-SA 4.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_Will_Win_Ants_or_Termites\"><\/span>Who Will Win Ants or Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ants <strong>beat termites in fights<\/strong>. Despite being smaller, they\u2019re more aggressive and can overwhelm termites with numbers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Termites are usually the ones on the back foot. They\u2019re forced to defend themselves until they find ways to escape. If ants make it past their defenses, they usually get slaughtered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Ants_and_Termites_Live_Together\"><\/span>Can Ants and Termites Live Together?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite being natural enemies, ants and termites <strong>can live together<\/strong>. The neotropical termite <em>Nasutitermes corniger<\/em> for example, (Motschulsky) cohabits with various ants species.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the wet season, they allow ants to use part of their nest for shelter and to eat them. In exchange, they get improved nest defense and nitrogen-rich nutrients. [<a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/aesa\/article-abstract\/88\/3\/328\/155237\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/aesa\/article-abstract\/88\/3\/328\/155237\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Ants_Worse_Than_Termites\"><\/span>Are Ants Worse Than Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of damage, they can cause to wood, no ants are not worse than termites. While some ants can cause significant damage, termites will <strong>cause more and do it faster<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Eats_Termites\"><\/span>What Eats Termites?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from ants, animals that eat termites include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mammals:<\/strong> Anteaters, Aardvarks, Bears, Bats, Humans<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Birds:<\/strong> Chickens, Doves, Sparrows, Swallows<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reptiles and Amphibians: <\/strong>Lizards, Snakes, Frogs, Newts<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Arthropods: <\/strong>Beetles, Flies, Spiders, Wasps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To summarize, ants eat termites. They&#8217;re considered primary predators of termites and actively hunt them down to eat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To them, termites are a nutritious and readily available food source. They are numerous enough to feed an entire colony.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Yes, ants eat termites. In fact, ants are among the primary predators of termites. They actively hunt them and rely on them for nutrition. In this article, we\u2019ll look deeper into this predatory relationship as we discuss the following: We\u2019ll also touch on whether or not ants can serve as indicators and control agents of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3249,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2177"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2177"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3752,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2177\/revisions\/3752"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3249"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scifaqs.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}