FAMILY MATTERS
Dad's deadly ant experiment captivates kids
By Ka'ohua Lucas
The other morning, I awoke at 5 a.m. and made a bleary-eyed beeline for the kitchen.
The light was on, which was unusual. My husband was hunched over the kitchen sink in deep concentration.
"Why are you up so early?" I asked.
"I'm checking out the ants."
My husband is a rarity.
Remember? This is the guy who drove away with his pair of $150 Rockports on the roof of his car. The one who scurried over to the baby-sitter's house only to be reminded by her that his son had stayed home with Mommy that day.
The man who, having misplaced his shoes, rooted through the bed of his truck to find a pair of tabis that he could wear to a formal dinner.
So I thought nothing of it when I saw his face six inches away from the sink's splashboard, examining the ants' behavior pattern.
But when a few minutes lapsed into 20, I urged him to break away.
"Come here and take a look," he gestured. "You see how the ants form a relatively straight line?"
I nodded and rolled my eyes.
"Did you know these ants are quite capable of finding the shortest path from a food source to their nest?"
"That's fascinating, dear," I said with little enthusiasm. "But I've got to brew the coffee."
"No, watch this," he coaxed.
By now, our two boys had arrived on the scene. My husband placed a crumb about the size of a pencil point in the path of the ant army. Immediately, they went around the obstacle.
"Did you know that ants will find the shortest path if the old one is no longer feasible?" my husband asked the boys.
"Honey, you do not have time to observe the ants in their natural habitat — let alone discuss ant behavior," I said. "Could you please figure out a way to get rid of them instead?"
The boys ignored me and continued their vigil in silence.
As much as I have an aversion to ants and all the other critters who take up residence in our home, I viewed the ant experience as a learning opportunity.
I was also reminded of the 'olelo no'eau, or wise saying, "I ka nana no a 'ike," or, "By observing, one learns."
What a great way to promote scientific investigation!
"What do you think will happen to the ants when we mix a little bit of boric acid with honey and place it in their path?" my husband asked, breaking the silence.
"They'll go around it?" our 12-year-old suggested.
My husband placed a small drop of poison on the ant trail. Some ants scattered, but others were drawn to it. In no time, most of the pesky pests had descended upon the mixture.
I wonder if the same ingredients could be used on roaches?
No doubt scientific investigation will have to wait for another day.
Ka'ohua Lucas is a mother of three and holds a master's degree in education curriculum and instruction. Reach her at: Family Matters, 'Ohana Section, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; or by e-mail at ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com; or fax 535-8170.
