Why Can’t Ants Leave a Circle?
WouterUsing a pen to draw a circle may sound like a good idea but it can actually annoy and repel ants. The ink itself contains chemical compounds that are a no-no for ants.
The reason why a pen circle is not good for ants is that it cuts off their scent trail. Ants use chemical scents to communicate with other members of their colony. These scents are called pheromones.
Some ants even sting with a putrid-smelling substance in order to repel predators. Ants are sensitive to chemicals and will react to any new chemicals they come across.
Another reason why ants cannot leave a circle is that they do not have good vision. As a result, they cannot see through liquids and they will slip when moving through them. This is why you may see them creating a game of cat and mouse with homeowners.
When ants are trapped in a circle, they can become confused and even move in circles. Eventually, they feel exhausted and start moving in a straight line to get out of the circle. However, this does not work for all ants.
This is because of the fact that ants use other senses to navigate. Ants have antennae on their heads that help them feel moisture. They have a brain with multiple ganglia, which is more distributed than the human brain.
They also use the pheromone to signal the other ants where they need to go. The pheromone is important because it helps all ants in the colony stay in line. If the pheromone trail is blocked by a pen circle, ants will have to find another way to get out.
