Can Ants Smell Sugar From a Long Distance?

Unlike humans, ants can smell sugar from a long distance. They also have four to five times more odor receptors than other insects. Having a strong sense of smell allows them to follow scent trails to find food.

Ants’ smelling capability plays a major role in their social interactions. They are able to pick up scents at a distance of up to 38 meters. They can also detect different scents in their environment. In addition, ants can differentiate between molecules with the same chemical formula.

Sugar ants will use pheromone trails to follow food sources. They will plop down on a protein source and leave a chemical trail to guide other ants to the food.

Sugar ants are attracted to sweet foods. They also like honey. Honey is a calorie-dense food source, providing energy to ants. Honey also has low water content, making it attractive to ants.

If you want to get rid of sugar ants, you will have to remove potential food sources. For example, you should sweep the kitchen floor after meals to keep sugar ants away.

You can also use peppermint oil to keep ants out. However, this can be difficult to use in large quantities. It can also stain your floor. You may also need to vacuum the floor regularly during the summer months. You can also plant mint around the perimeter of your home to keep ants out.

You should also keep trash out of the home as much as possible. Ideally, you should take out garbage at least once a day.