Can Ants Eat Spicy Food?
WouterWhether or not ants eat spicy food is not entirely certain. It depends on their diet. However, the main reason why ants are known to be spicy is the formic acid produced by some species.
Formic acid is a colorless, pungent liquid produced by ants in the subfamily Formicinae. It irritates the mouthparts of ants, and produces a burning sensation. Some ants swallow formic acid in order to kill bacteria.
Ants have a strong sense of smell, and use it to find food. Ants will also lay down pheromone scent when they find food. These pheromones signal other workers that they have found a food source. The pheromone scent will not necessarily be spicy.
Some of the spicy foods used to kill ants are pepper, garlic, black pepper, bay leaves, and cayenne pepper. However, it is important to note that chili powder is not safe for children, and it can also harm pets.
During the cold months, ants will go for sweet things like bread crumbs. However, they do not like bitter or salty foods. They are also attracted to sugary drinks and desserts.
Some species of ants are known to despise chili powder, while other species do not seem to have a problem with it. These include oecophylla, weaver ants, and camponotus.
A study conducted by OnePoll found that 37 percent of Americans consider themselves a “spicy food aficionado.” The survey also revealed that nearly half of Americans are willing to test their limits when it comes to spicy food.
