Soldier Ants

No one wants an army of ants patrolling around his front door or garden. But talk of an endless stream of army ants? That doesn’t sound so good.I saw a file of soldier ants (ólú-mba in the Igbo language) yesterday night. I never imagined they would mobilize to a greater force. The following morning I witnessed the army ‘arrest’ a big mamba and some insects. In one raid, they can strip a garden of living things. In West Africa, soldiers ants dwell in the forests and rarely come in contact with human beings.I’m impressed with the teamwork portrayed by army ants. It’s hard to break through a fortified line, so when they descend on prey, it’s harder to escape. They march through cold nights and sun heat, building shelters to reduce any weather impact. When they go for a night raid, they take sleeping rodents and insects by surprise. I’ve seen them construct bridges with tree leaves, sticks, sand, and stones. Soldier ants are very intelligent, and their leadership structure sound and competent. Every ant has got a role to play, and each has mastered its role! I’m particularly wary of ants with the most prominent heads.When they march, it’s swift like a fast-flowing stream, drowning unsuspecting grasshoppers, bugs, worms, spiders, lizards, snakes, livestock, and every life. The unfortunate victims are killed, stripped of flesh, and then transported in pieces. Soldier ants are highly organized flesh eaters. They can take on any living thing, and there are reports of attacks on vulnerable humans. It’s advised to avoid them.To keep these ants away: apply insect repellent dust or petroleum products like crude oil or gas. Ash also can help keep them out. Indeed, no insect has such organizational ability as the soldier ant.