Why Ants Don’t Get Sick
WouterConsidering the fact that ants can carry bacteria and pathogens on their bodies, why do they not get sick? The answer is that ants have a very efficient immune system that can prevent them from becoming infected. They also have an effective social system that allows them to co-operate with one another, and tweak their behavior in the event of a threat.
In fact, ants can even detect if someone in the colony is suffering from a fungal disease. They will then flee the area in order to protect the colony.
Foragers with fungal pathogens are given 24 hours to eliminate them. They groom themselves to eliminate the spores before entering the colony.
The best way to avoid getting a nasty case of ants is to clean up spills as soon as possible. Make sure you discard any food that has been exposed to ants, and wipe down your counters and refrigerators regularly.
Foragers that are not exposed to fungus may be more likely to spend more time outside the nest. This could be a sign that they are trying to avoid contact with the queen and other important members of the colony.
If you are suffering from a cold or flu, it’s probably best to avoid contact with anyone, especially ants. If you do manage to get a bit of contact, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly.
The best way to keep your home free from ants is to keep your food and cleaning supplies in tightly sealed containers. You should also avoid putting food in the fridge that hasn’t been chilled. This is especially true if it has meat or dairy in it.
