Ants use smell to find food sources and navigate their environment. Different ant species are attracted to different smells based on their food preferences. In general, ants are attracted to sugary and protein-rich foods. The smells that seem to attract ants the most are sweet foods like nectar, honey, and syrup. Proteins like meats, eggs, and cheese are also powerful ant attractants. Oils and fats are another common ant favorite. Knowing what smells attract ants can help you eliminate food sources to control ant infestations.
What smells attract different ant species?
There are over 12,000 known ant species worldwide. While all ants need sugars and proteins, different ant species have preferences for different food sources.
Sweet-loving ants
Ants that love sweets are attracted to sugary foods and carbohydrates. Some of the most common household ant pests in this category include:
- Argentine ants – Attracted to honeydew from aphids and other bugs, nectar, and sweet juices
- Odorous house ants – Love sweets, juices, honeydew, and protein
- Pavement ants – Enjoy sugary sweets, meats, eggs, and grease
- Pharaoh ants – Attracted to sugary foods and proteins
Protein and grease loving ants
While all ants need some protein, these species have a particular attraction to meaty, oily, and greasy foods:
- Fire ants – Enjoy oils, fats, and grease in addition to sweets
- Crazy ants – Prefer meat and fat over sugar
- Carpenter ants – Attracted to proteins, sugar, and fats
- Acrobat ants – Love proteins and fatty foods
The top 5 smells that attract ants
While ants have diverse food preferences, some key food odors seem to attract the majority of ant species. Here are 5 key smells that appeal to both sweet-loving and protein-eating ants:
1. Honey
Honey is made from sugary flower nectar by bees. Its thick, syrupy texture and intense sweet aroma make it irresistible to ants. Honeydew secreted by aphids and other bugs provides a similar sweet treat for ants in nature. Ants are highly attracted to the smell of honey and will recruit nestmates to follow the scent back to the jackpot.
2. Maple syrup
The sugary smell of maple syrup is another delight for sweet-craving ants. Like honey, maple syrup offers an energy dense dose of simple sugars. Ants easily detect the maple aroma and will flock to find the source. Other pancake syrups have a similar effect due to their high sugar content.
3. Fruit juice
Fruit juices contain natural sugars that appeal to ants’ cravings for sweets. Juices from fruits like oranges, apples, grapes, mangos, and pineapple produce fruity scents that attract many ant species. Fermenting fruit juices have an even stronger smell that ants hone in on.
4. Peanut butter
Peanut butter emits a nutty, oily aroma appealing to ants looking for protein and fats. In addition, peanut butter contains sugars that sweet-loving ants go crazy for. The dense, creamy texture also appeals to ants. Peanut butter is a good bait for trapping and killing a variety of household ants.
5. Grease and fat
Greasy and fatty foods give off odor molecules that signal a protein-rich meal to ants. Foods cooked in grease or oils, such as bacon or fried chicken, contain plenty of fatty acids that attract protein-loving ants. Grease traps and residues from cooking contain remnant fats and oils that bring ants streaming in.
What smells repel and deter ants?
While sugary and protein foods attract ants, other smells can repel them. Strong odors overwhelm ants’ scent receptors so they avoid the area. Here are some smells that repel ants:
- Citrus – Strong citrus oils repel ants. Orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit are effective choices. Use peels or sprays.
- Peppermint – The minty aroma of peppermint oil deters ants. You can grow mint plants or use peppermint essential oils.
- Cinnamon – Sprinkling cinnamon powder or using cinnamon essential oils drives ants away.
- Coffee – Used coffee grounds scattered around ant trails blocks their scent pheromones.
- Vinegar – The acidic smell of vinegar masks ant pheromones and alters pH levels.
- Chili Pepper – Capsaicin, the chemical that gives hot peppers their heat, is unpleasant to ants.
Strong fragrances from essential oils, spices, and other natural scents mask the smells that attract ants to food sources. Deploying these ant-repelling scents around your home helps deter ants.
Conclusion
Ants find food through smell and are attracted to sweet and protein-rich odors. While different ant species have preferences, honey, syrup, juices, peanut butter, and fatty foods seem to universally attract ants. Their powerful sense of smell allows them to pinpoint food, even in tiny amounts. To control ants and keep them away, use strong scents from citrus, peppers, vinegar, cinnamon, coffee, and other foods the ants find unpleasant and avoid. Understanding what smells attract and repel ants helps you manage ant invasions.