Does Stepping on Ants Actually Attract More Ants?

I wonder if it's true that stepping on ants is what makes the kids eat watermelon and popsicles daily. I am the primary kitchen cleaner in my house.

I wonder if the old adage that the ants somehow know one of their brethren has fallen is true when I start smashing ants on sight. I heard a potential myth and didn't check it out. Can the pests figure out when one of their friends has kicked the bucket?

I was surprised that they can. ants run a complex organization ants are brilliant creatures according to Accurate Pest Control. Groups are usually sent for investigations. When you squash an ant, the fluids release a chemical that will warn the ants. When the investigation group comes across the dead, they return to the hive and relay vital information.

What information is it? They need to get the corpse of someone they know dead. Not a graveyard with tombstones and flowers; the kind that is called a midden is a dumpster and burial ground.

Wait, so ant colonies have undertakers? Again, yes. We told you it was complex. Social insects such as ants, bees, and termites transport the corpses of their colonies to another location to prevent illness or infections from spreading throughout the colony. If you have ever looked at an anthill, you may have seen this insect pallbearer activity.

When you squash an ant and walk away, you are basically lighting a flare signal that shouts to all your friends and family. There was a dead ant over here. Come and get him!

Don't do that. If you do kill an ant on sight, be sure to remove the scent so the dead won't be able to communicate with their crew. If you want to draw a thick line around the ant presence with chalk, you can use either a paste made of baking soda and water, cinnamon, or chalk. I prefer to wipe the body with a paper towel and then give it a quick rinse with water and a dash of water.

If you have a lot of visitors to deal with, try one of the methods we have written about before.