On Sunday the GSPCA team was asked to help a very unusual new guest.
A family who had bought a plastic bag of bananas discovered with their fruit a stowaway.
What we believe is Camponotus Substitutus or Carpenter Ant was discovered with the produce which was purchased in St Sampsons.
The GSPCA has informed the States Vets and the store in question and the Ant who has been named Gerald Columbus is currently in isolation at the GSPCA.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “Every day is very different here at the GSPCA and from exotic lizards to cats on boats we have helped many stow away creatures over the years.”
“On Sunday a member of public brought in an ant which is very large and thankfully due to the skill set of the team we believe we have identified the insect as a Camponotus Substitutus or Carpenter Ant.”
“We have named him Gerald Columbus and he is currently in isolation while we speak to the States Vet.”
“Gerald Columbus was found in a sealed plastic bag of bananas and we believe he snuck into the bag and has travelled many thousands of miles to get to Guernsey.”
“If ever anyone finds any animal in need we have a 24/7 emergency service and all you need do is call 01481 257261 and press option 2.”
“These little guys can give a nasty bite but don’t worry everyone is fine.”
Some facts
1 – Carpenter ants don’t have lungs - Actually, ants in general do not have lungs. Instead they take in oxygen and exude carbon dioxide through tiny holes all over their bodies.
2 – Carpenter ants don’t eat wood - Most people think they eat wood because of the structural damage they can cause. While carpenter ants have strong mandibles that can chew through solid wood, they don’t swallow it. They chew to create tunnels and nests. Piles of sawdust the ants remove from the tunnels are one sign that carpenter ants may have infested your home.
3 – Carpenter ants are neat freaks - Not only do carpenter ants remove the wood debris from their nests and tunnels, but they also remove old food, dead ant bodies, etc. That’s why you might have seen carpenter ants carrying dead ants. They even collect resin and use it to disinfect their nests.
4 – Any kind of wood is good - With some insects, using treated wood is a deterrent. Not so with carpenter ants. Because they don’t actually eat what they chew through to make a nest, they can even live inside creosote-treated railroad ties and such. Though they’re most attracted to wet or rotten wood, carpenter ants will chew through solid, dry wood. Wet or rotten wood just makes it easier for them to start tunnels. Carpenter ants have even been known to chew through certain types of plastic.
5 – Carpenter ant bites hurt – a lot - While they don’t have stingers, carpenter ant bites can be quite painful. That’s because they inject formic acid into the wound as they bite. Fortunately, carpenter ant bites are rare.
6 – Carpenter ants are strong - Carpenter ants can carry a lot more than their body weight – up to 10-50 times their body weight. Their jaw strength is also intense, which is how they can chew through wood.
7 – Carpenter ants can kill and eat termites - Termites and carpenter ants are natural rivals since they like similar living conditions and chew through wood for their own colonies. Ants have been known to not only kill but also eat termites. If there are enough ants, they can even wipe out entire termite colonies. Using carpenter ants to get rid of termites is a very bad idea, though, because you’re just exchanging one problem for another.
Steve continued “With few fund raisers and next to no boarding due to lockdown the GSPCA income has been hit hard and we need your support now more than ever.”
“There are many ways you can help support our vital 24/7 work and donate or raise funds for the hundreds of animals in our care.”
“With over 140 hedgehogs, 3 seal pups, dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, fish, reptiles and many birds we help over 3000 animals through the doors every year.”
“With so many animals in our care we would love you to join our sponsor scheme to help us each month.”
“Just a couple of pounds each month can make a massive difference in helping the animals in our care and to find out more please go to http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf .”
“To make a donation you can go to https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA) .”
“We couldn’t do so much without your support and here a few ideas of how you can help us help animals in Guernsey.”
Donate
Donate by calling 01481 257261, by post to GSPCA, Rue des Truchots, St Andrews, Guernsey GY6 8UD or online https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
Sponsored Event
Why not create your own sponsored event or challenge - https://giving.gg/donate/charity/2/Guernsey-Society-for-the-Prevention-of-Cruelty-to-Animals-(GSPCA)
For lots more ideas why not visit our fundraising page www.gspca.org.gg/fundraising
Wish List
Check out our wish list page from the smallest of items to our biggest of projects there are many ways to support us - http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/our-plans-wish-list
To visit our Amazon Wish list to see some of the items we need to help the wildlife please visit - https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/25MJPPDAGXHL1?type=WishList
Legacies & Bequests
By leaving a gift to the GSPCA in your Will really helps us to improve the lives of animals into the future. After providing for those you care for, please consider leaving a proportion of what remains to the GSPCA it is so appreciated and makes a real lasting legacy.
A gift like this to the GSPCA ensures our animals and those in Guernsey will always have someone to keep them safe. To find out more please http://www.gspca.org.gg/about/gifts-wills-and-funding
Gift Aid on Donations over £500
To find out about the States of Guernsey tax relief information on gift aid up to 2020 on donations totalling between £500 and £5000 please see the details by going to https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=2617&p=0
2021 gift aid is from £500 and up to £7500 and here are the details - https://www.gov.gg/article/151830/Income-tax-relief
To download the form to claim for 2020 or before please follow this link https://www.gov.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=1994&p=0
Become a sponsor and GSPCA member
Why become an Angel Pen Pal Sponsor and support our work each month please visit - http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Angel%20sponsor%20form%20special%202018%20new.pdf
To become a Corporate Angel Pen Pal form for your business to sponsor animals in our care each year please click here http://www.gspca.org.gg/sites/default/files/Corporate%20Angel%20Pen%20Pal%20sponsor%20formnew.pdf
Share our posts and follow us on social media
Many of you will have seen us on social media and your support liking and sharing our posts is really appreciated, and to visit our social media pages please go to
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GuernseySPCA
Twitter https://twitter.com/GSPCA
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gspca-guernsey-965b0751/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/gspca_guernsey/
Subscribe to our Supporters Newsletter
To subscribe to our supporters newsletter and find out about upcoming events and news please go to https://us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9324335c87c8b3ec9f0016f2a&id=e61c951a08
In line with States of Guernsey advice please DO NOT visit the GSPCA if have been outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey in line with their advice or have any symptoms of Coronavirus and we continue visits to the Shelter for only essential reasons and to please call us on 01481 257261 or email [email protected] before your trip to see if we can help without you coming to the Shelter. For the latest information and advice please visit http://www.gspca.org.gg/search/node/coronavirus
With huge challenges on our resources and a drop in income from boarding and donations please help us help animals in Guernsey with our #GSPCACoronavirusCrisisAppeal by donating online via - https://giving.gg/donate/event/5876/GSPCA-Coronavirus-Emergency-Appeal
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