Does Killing Ants Attract More Ants?

The short answer – yes. Ants communicate with each other primarily through smell; their bodies produce pheromones that tell other ants where to find food, warn them when the colony is under attack, and more. Ants rely on their sense of smell for many aspects of their lives, and the smell of a dead ant is a big red flag for them. So, if you crush an ant, the other ants will eventually get wind of it.

So, how do you keep the ants from spreading the news and bringing a full-scale infestation into your home or business? The Forest Pest Control team is here with a few helpful pieces of advice.

What Happens When You Kill an Ant?

The other ants in a colony may not notice right away when one of their number is killed. However, if you crush an ant, its body will release pheromones that alert the others that danger is nearby. This will attract the rest of the colony and temporarily increase ant activity in the area. The other ants will investigate the area and carry the dead ant away to the colony’s midden – its “garbage dump.”

Even if an ant isn’t crushed, its body will eventually start to emit the smell of decay, which will tune the rest of their colony in. They will make their way to the dead ant to inspect the area and carry the dead back to the midden.

You Killed an Ant – What Now?

Crushing a single ant on your floor isn’t the end of the world. Cleaning up is important after killing an ant, both for sanitation and to prevent other ants from showing up.

Live ants will also leave pheromone trails behind to lead their fellows to food and water. If you notice ants wandering around your home or business, clean the floor thoroughly to discourage more from following them.

How to Prevent Ants

Ants, just like any other life form, are after three things: food, water, and shelter. Human dwellings contain all of these things in one convenient location, making them the perfect place for ants to set up shop. To discourage ants from building their home on your property, make sure to take the following steps:

• Clean up food spills. Ants are tiny and don’t need much food. Even tiny crumbs left over from meals could attract ants. Ants are especially drawn to sugary foods, but they will take anything – even pet food.
• Fix plumbing leaks. Leaking pipes can be the perfect water source for an ant colony.
• Fix cracks in your structure. Ants can find their way through just about any gap in your exterior. Look closely for these gaps, especially around windows and doors, and seal them up with caulk.

Call Forest Pest Control for Ant Control in Central Florida

Ants can be incredibly difficult to get rid of without professional help. That’s where the Forest Pest Control team comes in handy; we have 33 years of experience handling ant infestations in homes and businesses in and around Central Florida. Our technicians have all the tools and knowledge needed to take care of your ant problem and keep it from coming back. 

Give us a call to get started with a free estimate!