Like the other hymenopterous like bees and wasps, ants are also social insects with strong polymorphism. The latter means that there are (morphological) different forms of individuals, within the same type having different functions. They live in colonies and nests - formicariums - from 10 individuals to several hundred million individuals. They are built in the soil, wood, under stones and crevices.

There are species that inhabit the nests of other ants whilst opening obey the host family and make it practically their slave. Other species have evolved to live in the homes of people. Their social life is very complex and linked to various forms of communication - mostly chemical - by pheromones. The complex behavior is based on a system of instincts.

There are established symbiotic relationship between ants and a variety of other organisms - protozoans, fungi, lower and higher plants, crustaceans, arachnids, insects (including other ants) and others. Some species are able to adjust the number of other insects, which are pests for agriculture.