What is Trophallaxis
Communication is required to maintain order in highly structured groups, and insects are no exception. While they may not have developed verbal language, they do utilize a nuanced and detailed method of transferring information to one another: trophallaxis.
Trophallaxis is a unique means some social insects use to communicate with each other. Insects like ants and termites will transfer fluids from their mouths or anuses into each other’s mouths to pass nutrients and molecular information. It may seem unusual, but it is vital to keeping the colony together and strengthening their collective intelligence. Each social insect will perform this exchange multiple times per minute, which can disseminate information quickly throughout the colony.
The most important recipient of trophallaxis is, of course, the queen. Queen ants and termites are faced with the monumental task of populating the colony. Queens are largely immobile and rely on their workers to regurgitate fluid nutrients into their mouths to keep them nourished. Workers deliver not only sustenance through trophallaxis, but information as well. Each exchange provides the queen with information regarding the quality and availability of food and the presence of diseases or parasites.
In return, Queens pass along pheromones that keep their workers sterile and unable to breed, provide nutrient-profile “status updates” on her health, reproductive status, and nutritional needs, and even instruction on labor division.
Hacking Trophallaxis: Infiltrating The Colony
The queen is the heart of a social insect colony. Without her, the colony will collapse and die. She is usually hidden to keep her safe from predators or intruders. This poses a challenge for those looking to exterminate a troublesome ant or termite colony without causing structural damage to their homes. Pest control professionals have found the best method of eliminating the colonies is to use their communication methods to their advantage.
Pest control professionals “hack” ant or termite communication styles using a slow-acting bait. The unknowing workers consume the bait and pass the poison to each other as they go about their daily business, allowing it to spread through the colony and eventually, to the queen. This can take days or weeks depending on factors like temperature, colony size, and humidity. ‘
You may even see increased ant or termite activity immediately after placing the bait. Though it may look alarming, this escalated presence is a good sign. It means that the pests are taking the bait. The more ants consume the bait, the quicker the poison spreads and kills the colony.
A Targeted Approach
At Modern Pest Services, we are not just focused on eliminating pests—we are committed to doing so responsibly. By using their knowledge of ant and termite behavior to their advantage, our pest control experts neutralize colonies with minimal risk to pets, humans, and non-target wildlife.
Got an ant or termite problem? We can help! Contact us here for a free quote.
