Can You Eat Wood Ants in Your Cooking?
Using ants in your cooking may not be the most practical idea. Wood ants are very aggressive creatures and are able to bite attackers, which can be dangerous. They can also spray formic acid, which can be deadly. They can also be incredibly sneaky.
Ants are small, but they are capable of lifting fifty times their own weight. They are attracted to sweets, grease, and protein. They also eat other animals, including other insects.
They may be beneficial to human health, although some studies have found that they can cause allergic reactions. Ants are also thought to have medicinal qualities. They may help improve heart health, improve asthma symptoms, and even increase milk production in women. Some people have even used them to close wounds.
Wood ants are found across northern Europe. They are also widespread in southern Britain. They are predators of defoliating insects such as ladybirds. They use pheromones, or chemical scents, to attract other ants to their nests.
The little black ants build their nests in warm, moist environments. They excrete wood and create tunnels. They are also able to create pathways for other pests.
If you are worried about getting ants in your home, you can use a garden safe pesticide to prevent an ant infestation. You can also put diatomaceous earth around your garden, which contains sharp crystals that ants can’t chew through.
Some chefs use ants in their cooking, including Rene Redzepi, the owner of the three-star Michelin restaurant “Noma” in Norway.