There’s a lot boiling below those mounds of Thatcher Ants

Photo By Edzel Butac | Todd Zuchowski, Fish and Wildlife Branch Chief for Joint Base Lewis-McChord's Public Works – Environmental Division, holds up a stick covered in Thatcher Ants while discussing the insects' positive impact on the local environment.  

TACOMA, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

08.16.2023

Story by Pamela Sleezer 

Joint Base Lewis-McChord Public Affairs Office     

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. – Have you ever wondered about those massive mounds writhing with ants scattered across the grounds of Joint Base Lewis-McChord?
Surprisingly, those mounds of ants provide a valuable service to the areas they occupy. Thatching Ants build their impressive mounds out of decaying materials on the forest floor, providing soil aeration in the process and they are actually predators of other invasive insects.
“So, they’re actually not that bad to have around,” said Todd Zuchowski, Fish and Wildlife Branch Chief for JBLM’s Directorate of Public Works – Environmental Division.
Want to learn more about these interesting insects that have more than 100,000 mounds across JBLM? Check out this fun and informative video filled with facts – including how Thatcher Ants taste. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwBG0iLLrPH/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

• Date Taken: 08.16.2023
• Date Posted: 08.16.2023 17:03
• Story ID: 451491
• Location: TACOMA, WASHINGTON, US