The article 6 Reasons We Should Be Way More Scared Of Ants (http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-reasons-we-should-be-way-more-scared-ants/) by Daniel O’Brien talks about why ants are considered pests and although he says that most aunts help to balance out our ecosystem and have many useful jobs, certain species can be detrimental to our environment. The six reasons that O’Brien lists are that certain ants are not indigenous to our country, they are other animals that we do want, our poisons don’t work against them, they can live anywhere, they use us to transport themselves, which allows them to go almost anywhere in the world, and we have not developed any ways of stopping them from continuing to rapidly reproduce and continue to overpopulate.
This author raises a lot of very alarming and valid points. Since most ants look the same to the untrained eye would be hard to tell everyone to just stop killing ants especially with the Argentinian ant is one of the most wide spread and common ant. O’Brien also backs up his argument with a lot of other research, like when he sites Dr. Elissa Suhr in saying that “In Argentina … ant colonies span 10s of meters, are genetically diverse and highly aggressive towards one another, so population numbers never explode and they are no threat to other plants and animals.” This supports his argument that these species of ants are becoming over populated because there is nothing that can stop them from reproducing.
Although Daniel raises a lot of good points about the hazards of the Argentinian ant, these same points do not apply to most other species of ants that are indigenous to the United States and do help the ecosystem. It is unfair to persecute all species of ants just because of the harmful behavior of this species.
This article raises a lot of good questions and provides insight on a different perspective regarding ants. The biggest question is how can target the Argentinian Ant specifically in order to eliminate them from our country while keeping other species of Ants safe.
Hey Jake,
I think it’s cool your sticking up for ants! As people we tend to be a little self absorbed. Thinking of ants only as pests is an example of this because since we don’t like them in our houses and they ruin picnics we assume they must have only negative value. Your essay topic has the ability to make people look at the way even things we deem unlikable can be important in positive ways. I hope you find some good information on how to separate the ant species so we can appreciate the help certain ones give to the environment. I’m wondering if you could make your topic a little easier to relate to by also finding out more ways in which the ants help the environment. Taking care of our environment is a growing focus in our culture and may draw more interest for your subjects (the ants). Bees can be dangerous to those who are allergic, and their stings are quite painful but many people choose to take up bee keeping regardless due to the benefits they provide them such as honey. If these benefits can help protect bees maybe finding something similar with ants can help convince people distinguishing the good from the bad is relevant to them.
Keep up the good work,
Stephanie
Hey Jake,
I think this post is a great follow up to your original blog topic. It’s always interesting to view the other side of an argument and contrast your ideas with another persons. The inclusion of a link is very helpful in understanding the main points of your blog. Also you did a great job in countering this author’s points and really reaffirmed your topic.
Great Job,
Tim
The article prompts thought-provoking questions and offers a fresh perspective on the complex relationship between ants and humans. The central question of how to specifically target and eliminate the Argentinian ant without harming other beneficial ant species remains a significant concern that requires further research and innovative solutions.khalidelarbi———-business for sale