Weighing In

Weighing In

Noel Laflin

8-29-18

Years ago, claims were made that if we were to weigh all the ants in the world, they would weigh as much as all the people of the world. I remember hearing the story and was both amazed and horrified by the thought.

The claim has since been challenged and discredited by others thankfully. Francis Ratnieks, Professor of Apiculture at the University of Sussex summed it up best when he wrote:

"I think if we went back 2,000 years, certainly the ants would've outweighed the humans... but at roughly the time that America became independent [1776], or a little bit before that, that's when we humans became more impressive in our weight than the ants.”

"We must also remember that humans are getting fatter all the time. We're not just increasing in population, we're increasing in fatness, so I think we've left the ants behind."

That makes me feel a little better.

Regardless of the actual truth to the matter, it’s been quite the summer for ants around here. I thought at first it might be just us, but then saw a friend ask if others were experiencing similar tiny home invasions.  That post exploded with overwhelming comments like: ‘Hell, Yes!’ And then folks went into detail as to what they were encountering and strategies employed.

Seems the prolonged drought and record heat this summer are behind the ants’ search for moisture.  There have been beelines made for every conceivable water source, from bathroom sinks to toilet tanks.  And there are few things less concerting than the thought of placing one’s derriere upon a porcelain throne where tiny saboteurs might be lurking.