Interesting & Amazing Fun Facts About Ants. Yes, You Can Eat Them

July 9th, 2009 Posted in Ants & Roaches




Yeah, we all hate them. But that’s not to say that we wouldn’t find certain things about ants to be interesting. The average person probably does not know that ants are used in various cultural cuisine, medicine, and rituals. This article will highlight some fun facts about ants.


Fun Facts About Ants

Found on (almost) all continents except Antarctica

Ants are prevalent in warmer areas and make up 15-20% of the total animal biomass. One can assume, then, that Antarctica is too cold of an environment for ants to survive. However, there are no native ant species found in certain parts of the Hawaiian Islands – a warm environment. Hmm…

Evolved from wasps

Between 110-130 million years ago, ants descended from a wasp-like ancestor during the Cretaceous period and diversified with the rise of flowered plants. Scientists have found an ant-wasp specimen trapped in amber that dates back 80 million years ago.

Ants are social insects

Ants are considered social insects because of their collectivity. They work together as a social system and reproduce to keep the system going. The queen is responsible for reproduction along with the fertile males called “drones”.

Communicate in colonies using scents

These scents are called pheromones. Pheromones are scents left on soil for other ants to detect and follow. The scent is received through the antennae. Pheromones are also used for alarm purposes. If an ant is crushed, it will release a strong scent attracting more ants.

Males live 45-60 days total

The life of a male ant is usually short lived whereas a queen can live up to 30 years. This is why the queens have greater priority over the soldiers and workers. The workers serve the queen and then graduate to digging and protecting the nest.




Bizarre Uses:

Ants in Cuisine

You’ll be surprised to know there are recipes out there, such as red ant stir-fry, chocolate covered ants, and ant brood tacos. Escamoles is a popular dish in Mexico consisting of a special breed of ants and their larvae, which is considered a form of caviar.

Ants as Medication

A population of Chinese medicinal ants have anti-inflammatory and pain-killing agents in their systems, which can lead to fighting ailments such as arthritis and hepatitis. Also, wild ants are rich in protein, amino acids, and minerals.

Ants in Rituals

In the Amazon Rain Forest, a tribe of indigenous people use black ants in a ritual which involves ants biting a young person 20 times, if not more. This is the tribe’s form of immunization, because the ants release an agent into the system that protects against mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and yellow fever, which are prevalent in that part of the world.


Looking to Get Rid of Ants?

If you are still not at least somewhat interested in ants by now and are just looking for a solution to get rid of them, then read about how to kill ants in a creative or traditional manner. EcoSMART offers an ant killer that is organic and can be safely used in the household for those unwanted guests.

By Lee Elkin



  1. 116 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By Kimberly on Jul 9, 2009

    Such cool facts about ants, can’t wait to share these with my children!

  3. By Nancy Horton on Jul 9, 2009

    These are cool facts..but red ants hurt when they bite :-( and we have them all over out yard…makes walking around pretty hard!!!

  4. By joseph singleton on Jul 9, 2009

    I’m overrun by red ants and ready to fight back! you sound like what im looking for.

  5. By Ruth Robbins on Jul 9, 2009

    We fight with Ants constantly. Doesn’t seem to matter what we use, they keep coming back. We have a tree that they like really well. Not getting rid of my shade tree. Maybe this stuff will really work.

  6. By Dixie Posey on Jul 9, 2009

    Im very scaredof spiders & I seem to have them everywhere..Outdoors an in.

  7. By Linda on Jul 9, 2009

    While gardening I accidently dug into a nest and now realize why nothing will grow in this spot. I would love to have something that will kill the ants but not my plants!

  8. By Karen Guthrie on Jul 9, 2009

    We need help. We have fireants everywhere. I have four children, and no matter what product we use it seems as though my little ones still end up with ant bites all over their precious little feet.

  9. By Anne on Jul 9, 2009

    So, perhaps if I allow all the ants that have surrounded my door ways to bite my son will he be protected from illnesses common for us? Hmm, better I just try the protect and not test that theory.

  10. By Barb Mason on Jul 9, 2009

    We have a real problem with ants in the summer, but we alos have several pets so finding a bug spray that is safe around our pets is a challenge. I’d love to test it out!

  11. By Sharon on Jul 9, 2009

    I would love to try the wasp and hornet spray, we have a lot of wasps in our barn, and its hard to get in there to get something.

  12. By amanda on Jul 9, 2009

    We have had terrible trouble with ants this year. We’ve started an organic garden and so we don’t want to use regular pesticides. The organic solutions we have tried just haven’t worked. Still looking for the miracle cure! :)

  13. By Beth Zomack on Jul 9, 2009

    This was extremely interesting. Thanks!!

  14. By Corey Akers on Jul 9, 2009

    Wow, these facts were fun, interesting, and slightly scary… Thanks for the information!

  15. By frances on Jul 9, 2009

    Ok I think these new eco products are great for our enviorment..I would love to be able to kill bugs without killing other creatures

  16. By bob on Jul 9, 2009

    I didn’t know all these “fun facts” about Ants, but I still don’t need them in my house. Every spring the Ants start to carry off our cat Spanky’s food. They get it to the door, but can’t get it through! I need something organic that gets rid of the Ants, but won’t kill the cat!

  17. By dorothy parks on Jul 9, 2009

    IS THESE PRODUCT SAFT AND WILL IT HARM KIDS AND PETS

  18. By Karen Brembt on Jul 9, 2009

    I have tried everything you can think of to get rid of Fire Ants and nothing works. Maybe this Product will do the trick.

  19. By Neal H. Woods on Jul 9, 2009

    I have problems with small ants coming in my kitchen and house. These are the small brown kind and I have had no luck in keeping them out.

  20. By jeanne muehlbauer on Jul 9, 2009

    You need to get a 6 month spray so the ants stay outsid instead of inside.

  21. By tammy stephens on Jul 9, 2009

    i am having a big problem with fire ants would love to be a tester of your product we have tried everything nothing works

  22. By charity golke on Jul 9, 2009

    i would love to try this, I care for the environment and we are swarmed with misquitos everyday.

  23. By Tanya Hughes on Jul 9, 2009

    I have ant problems as well near my plants. I need products that will safe for my plants and my dog and still be effective.

  24. By tammy gregoire on Jul 9, 2009

    i need help to get rid of small ants.i would love it to be an organic solution.

  25. By kitty on Jul 9, 2009

    i really need help! i have ants in my kitchen every spring and sometimes it goes in my palor. i would really love to try your product

  26. By frances frazier on Jul 9, 2009

    i have not tried your product but would to thank you

  27. By paul on Jul 9, 2009

    ant an wasp are really a problem at my house in the summer . i really need something that will get rid of them.

  28. By frances frazier on Jul 9, 2009

    we have alot of ants and nothing seems to work even though e only have a small place Ihave never tried your product but ould like too

  29. By Julia Henderson on Jul 9, 2009

    Bugs are in my garden i don,t know what to do.

  30. By Angela Piazza on Jul 9, 2009

    I would love to try this new product. Anything to get of these pesty ant in a safe would be wonderful.

  31. By Elnora Williams on Jul 9, 2009

    I can not stand bugs indoors nor outdoors they can be a pest. I need to try this product. Looking for something that really work.

  32. By Stephanie on Jul 9, 2009

    Wow!! What an excellent opportunity to try something good for the earth that will help keep my tomatoes and veggies safe,too!! Thank you
    !

  33. By Francine on Jul 9, 2009

    Hi I’d really love to test this prouduct. I have bought different prouducts for pest contol. mostly for Ants we have a 3 yr old in our home, Everything goes straight to hi9s mouth no matter what and would like to find a prouduct that can be used in the Home safely. Most prouducts do kill but what else is it killing it may be killing your family you just don’t know it yet. Time will tell. Basically, i have tried many prouducts either they are rough on the nose the eyes or unsafe to use around pets and children,and have been a waste of money, i’d like to try this product and would be the first to recommend it to freinds and family if it works for me. I have a home that wads built in themiddle of a lot so i have many entry ways for Ants.

  34. By Donna Dailey on Jul 9, 2009

    Okay, I have to say that I am totally freaked at the thought of using insecticides around my house and garden. I have cats and a dog inside I worry about, and birds that I enjoy visiting my yard (as well as chipmunks and squirrels). So, if your product is safe around them I would love to test it!

  35. By Linda Francovich on Jul 9, 2009

    Help with ants………YES!

  36. By Linda Francovich on Jul 9, 2009

    Help with ants……..Yes! Save my green beans…..Yes! Safe for children and dogs……..excellent!

  37. By Vickie on Jul 9, 2009

    My kitchen is just about over run with ants!!! Red ants are the worst. My poor cats, they are even in their food dish. I have thrown out so much cat food, I throw it outside for the outside strays so they can at least have something to eat. I have tried just about everything from banana peels to bay leaves.

  38. By Pamela Lassiter on Jul 9, 2009

    Hi we have a family owned small town nursery and are always looking for eco friendly products to sell to our customers. We are very small but popular in our area.

  39. By Deanna on Jul 9, 2009

    I have a terrible problem with ants at hour home and because there are so many neighborhood pets that like to visit our yard and also our own dog I haven’t found a safe product that has worked in getting rid of them, I am very interested in Ecosmart products!

  40. By Jim on Jul 9, 2009

    I have tried to stop the ants from entering my home but have failed! Last month we started to find 1 or 2 a day in the upstairs bathroom. Killing a few a day is a pain but when you live in the country, its part of the deal. But when they start falling on your head as you walk under the skylight, there is a problem. I drilled holes into the ceiling and sprayed some insect killer into the holes and my bathroom was suddenly filled with carpenter ants. They were dropping from the ceiling faster than I could kill them. I sprayed so much poison that my wife and baby had to leave the house for a few hours until the smell cleared out of the house. I would love to try your products to deal with the ants who are returning for round 2! I need a product that works and is safe for my infant.

  41. By Panya on Jul 9, 2009

    We moved to a new house last summer, and we’ve been trying to deal with ants ever since — they’re so aggravating!

  42. By Lisa Ranger on Jul 9, 2009

    Ants – hate them. Would love to try natural products as I have kids and pet and basement of ants! Please help.

  43. By Elizabeth on Jul 9, 2009

    We have ant problems as well. Do they ever go away? My husband sprays and they just move from one spot to another. It seems they multiply greater all over the yard. We would love to get rid of the ants so we can enjoy being outside without getting bit as much. EcoSmart sounds like a smart and safe product for the whole family, including pets.

  44. By Mommyishome on Jul 9, 2009

    My husband got bitten yesterday numerous times by fire ants when moving limbs that blew down in a storm. We also have had problems with “sugar ants” and our hummingbird feeders. We currently have a several trails of them crawling around and up our house.

  45. By Shannon on Jul 9, 2009

    Can’t wait to try:-)
    Thank you!!

  46. By joanne blancke on Jul 9, 2009

    We are having a big problem with ants in our lawn. They are not just bothersome to us but they are also biting our dogs.We have tried boiling water ,vinegar and digging them out.They’re still here . Help!!!

  47. By tanya todd on Jul 9, 2009

    Looking for a way to kill ants without pesticides. It is a real problem, every year, this year is quite bad. Have tried many things, I will be interesting to find something that really WORKS !!!!

  48. By B350m on Jul 9, 2009

    I have issues with big black ants. Sure would like to get rid of them in the house.

  49. By Emily Hall on Jul 9, 2009

    The ants walk into our back door like it is home. I have two small children and a dog and cat, so i have been using BABY POWDER along the threshold because I heard that it is safe for the kids AND kills the ants. So far its a no-go. I have been killing them with a wet paper towel when i see them, but they are now starting to make their way into our syrup and sugar and stuff. I was thinking about getting ant traps or something.

  50. By Angid Allen on Jul 9, 2009

    would love to try ecosmart pproducts

  51. By Helen on Jul 9, 2009

    Ants who really needs them. It’s funny how in a condo you don’t see very many spiders, but somehow the pesky ants find their way into my home…down with them!!!

  52. By Angid Allen on Jul 9, 2009

    i buy EcoSmart bug spray – how to get rid of ants & bees

  53. By David Avery on Jul 9, 2009

    Maybe now I should watch where I step!

  54. By Lisa Hill on Jul 9, 2009

    I would really like to test this product as we get a lot of pests during the summer months in SC. We have to spray alot for bugs and because of my 2 dogs I think that an organic product would be best. thanks!

  55. By cheryl lang on Jul 9, 2009

    I don’t know how they get in my apartment every year but they do. My apartment manager gues radical if she finds out. I need a solution to my problem.

  56. By Linda F on Jul 9, 2009

    An army of ants have invaded my flower beds. I need help getting rid of them.

  57. By Patsy Greenwood on Jul 9, 2009

    Ants and Gnats are a big problem. I need help to get rid of them. Help me.

  58. By Terry Kruse on Jul 9, 2009

    We seem to have a carpenter ant and perhaps even a roach problem in our house and with 5 cats and sometimes foster kittens I feel uncomfortable spraying chemicals around inside.

    Would love to be a product tester

  59. By kasie on Jul 9, 2009

    pretty weird that letting ants bite you can save your life?

  60. By Cindy Jennings on Jul 10, 2009

    I have spiders everywhere. I have try several different products, but I still have spiders and less money. Please tell me something I can try and it will work. Thank you.

  61. By Lisa on Jul 10, 2009

    I have sugar ants-tons of them-in my house-kitchen, bathroom…

  62. By Jennie on Jul 10, 2009

    I can’t wait to try it!

  63. By Jennifer Uhde on Jul 10, 2009

    Well, not sure about your garden- I don’t know if this helps- because it is outside- but ants will not walk over talc powder. I put baby powder around the edges of my patio and they stayed off as long as the powder was there. It also comes in handy if ants try to come inside doors or windows.

  64. By Franco Barbara on Jul 10, 2009

    i would love to try this.

  65. By Matt on Jul 10, 2009

    We love using organic products. We have only used traditional pesticides in our home, but we now have a new baby and we hate to expose him to toxins. We are eager to try something safe and organic to fend off these ants and roaches!

  66. By D on Jul 10, 2009

    I don’t think ants are really all that bad

  67. By Rita Tauzin on Jul 10, 2009

    i have sooooo much ants in my yard and i can’t put strong stuff on my yard for i have ladybugs,bees,bird all kind, and have been going green for a very long time. i’m 63 yars old and disable. have pets and grandchildrens that lives with me and i will not used anything strong. if this works on the ants,i will buy this product all the time if i can find it in stores in my area.thanks

  68. By Adam S on Jul 10, 2009

    Love to find a safe solution for my kitchen and puppy.

  69. By Alphonse on Jul 10, 2009

    Ants are just totally fascinating.

  70. By Bruce on Jul 10, 2009

    My mom has had problems with ants for a long time. Hope this works.

  71. By Jenn on Jul 10, 2009

    Thanks for the info! Strangely, I have consistently been seeing tiny ants around my shoe rack. My shoes are not particularly dirty, nor is there any food there. I am perplexed and unable to see where they are coming from.

  72. By vishal on Jul 10, 2009

    I tried so many ways to get rid of the ants but they found one or other way to enter the house .I really want to try that product

  73. By Debby Kulchar on Jul 10, 2009

    I think the ants seem to be attracted to my old wooden floors – they come back every year

  74. By Noorhan A on Jul 10, 2009

    We’ve had trouble with ants ever since we moved in. They’ve invaded the kitchen, but we have no idea where they’ve come from. We resealed the area around the sink, but still the buggers seem to come in from there.

    Would love an organic product to use as i’m not comfortable using other harmful products in the sink/cooking area.

  75. By Elizabeth B. on Jul 10, 2009

    I don’t mind ants outside but I don’t want them in my house! I want to keep them away but I don’t want to cause harm to the animals and kids that live in my area. Also, I would love to promote a product that doesn’t harm the environment but works. I’m off to check out “how to kill ants”

  76. By Tim Thomas on Jul 10, 2009

    It would be wonderful to learn how to get rid of some of these nasty critters with an eco-friendly way
    Thank-you

  77. By Kara on Jul 10, 2009

    So sick of the ants in my house. Need to get rid of them!!!

  78. By Madonna on Jul 10, 2009

    I don’t mind one or two ants but when we lived in NC we had tons. Even in the winter time. They were worse than roaches. We had to keep all food in the fridge. I have honestly never seen so many ants in one place in my life.

  79. By Debbie W. on Jul 10, 2009

    This is the perfect time of year to discuss this. The conditions are perfect for the ants to thrive, and they drive me crazy.

  80. By Angie W. on Jul 10, 2009

    My husband and I detest ants. My worst horror is when I go out to water my beautiful potted plants and find ANTS! all over them. We have tried everything!

  81. By nancy race on Jul 10, 2009

    Hi,
    After reading this article ants are a Necessity, but why do they always end up at the entrance to my garage door, at least 8 times a year no matter which sprays I use to get rid of them, they always come back. Hot boiling water only get rid of them for a few hours. Please help.

  82. By Melissa Vera on Jul 10, 2009

    Ants are definetly a problem around our house. We have sugar and fire ants. Our house was built on a wooded lot. And husband is always trying to find new ways to kill them.

  83. By Jo-Ann Leblanc on Jul 10, 2009

    I try to remove as many crawly critters back to the outdoors and let them live another day but i can see where a eco friendly product benefits us all!

  84. By Bob F on Jul 10, 2009

    I have an army of ants in my side yard & back yard. I’ve tried a few of the non organic pesticides, but I worry about the neighborhood dogs & cats. I’m looking for an organic solution

  85. By Ja on Jul 10, 2009

    I’m tired of ants crawling on me when sitting by the pool.

  86. By jojos_n_kelowna on Jul 10, 2009

    Ants and spiders and earwigs galore..hate them…i wanna get rid of them! And at the cabin, I’m a buffet for the mosquitos! My family and I would love to be testers!

  87. By vanessa todevski on Jul 10, 2009

    I live in Florida so ants are an everyday problem here. Always looking for ways to get rid of them as well as the mosquitos here but ways that will not hurt my cat, dog and infant.

  88. By AJacobsen on Jul 10, 2009

    I still can’t believe people actually eat ants… I mean, seriously, there are SO many more wonderful, tasty things to eat!

  89. By Mallory Fischer on Jul 10, 2009

    Wow! I didn’t know you can eat ants..that’s interesting haha
    I guess I’m not surprised..I don’t see why you couldn’t. But I still don’t think I will start haha

  90. By Jessica Nelson on Jul 10, 2009

    Wow, yay for the help! I get too many ants here. And I didn’t know that they evolved from wasp. It’s crazy.

  91. By Kim on Jul 10, 2009

    Ants are far more complex then most seem to think. They are quite fascinating! I heard on NPR that when an ant dies it takes up to 2 days for any other ant to know he has passed… they will just let him lie there as if nothing is wrong. However, after a few days they begin to emit a scent (the scent of death) and only then will they pick up their fellow ant and carry him back to the colony to be properly disposed of… buried.

    Also, ants clean themselves… like cats!!!

  92. By belinda knight on Jul 12, 2009

    jusy moved into a house and the ants are terrible the year in michigan. I want them out of my home!

  93. By Jo on Jul 12, 2009

    I never knew ants came from wasps. And I don’t care how much anti-inflamitory agents are in their little bodies…I don’t think I could ever eat an ant.

  94. By Mike on Jul 12, 2009

    This product looks great, I hate all the ants on my driveway.

  95. By khudsiya on Jul 13, 2009

    Great facts, I will definitely use them in my class of grade 3’s.
    My 18 month old loves to grab them by hand and look at it until it bite him and then teh crying starts for at least an hour

  96. By Stefanie Schmidt on Jul 13, 2009

    Thanks for the ant fun facts! I would love to try your products to keep ants away from my home.

  97. By amanda floyd on Jul 13, 2009

    I cant wait to try this I love the idea of it being ‘GREEN” I hope it works well!!

  98. By tannya flinn on Jul 13, 2009

    We have ants coming thru a small crack in the patio cement,Have tried couple things but we have cats and need something thats not harmful to pets or children.

  99. By karla cherry on Jul 14, 2009

    The ants in my house are driving me crazy this year! We have a baby now and don’t know what to use around the house.Hopefully this sounds like something I could use.My husband thinks i’m getting obsessed… :)

  100. By Dave on Jul 15, 2009

    Don’t want to eat ants, just want to get rid of them safely!

  101. By Tracy on Jul 15, 2009

    Who knew that Queen Ants can live up to 30 years while the average male only lives a few months. The children I tutor would be fascinated by some of the facts on this post!

  102. By Chris on Jul 16, 2009

    I like the idea of a non toxic insect killer around my kids and pets, always afraid to use other types of insect sprays around the house.

  103. By Kidzmustplay on Jul 17, 2009

    Wow never knew some of that on ants. Got way to many in my areaand definetly would have a hard time trying to bring myself to eat one. EWW

  104. By Kidzmustplay on Jul 17, 2009

    Sure is great to have safe and organic products out there. With my pets and all the natural wildlife i have due to living in a rural area i make sure all the products i use will not harm the wildlife.

  105. By swetha on Jul 18, 2009

    Who knew that Queen Ants can live up to 30 years while the average male only lives a few months. The children I tutor would be fascinated by some of the facts on this post!

  106. By Danyelle Heller on Jul 22, 2009

    Always looking for a Green way to help around the house and yard. Thanks!

  107. By AJ Jones on Jul 29, 2009

    I live in a ruarl environment and have an a minor ant problem. I have a bigger problem with hideous looking house centipedes, I see at least a couple a day. I would love an organic, safe soulution to get rid of these critters!

  108. By Cody on Aug 15, 2009

    We are swamped with sugar ants all through our house and they taste awful while eating cereal and what not. we have done everything under the sun to kill them with no results whatsoever. PLEASE HELP US!

  109. By Tyler on Aug 18, 2009

    Great article. I never knew that ants had medicinal purposes!

    http://blog.letsbuyit.com/en/2009/08/18/bandai-ants-life-studio/

  110. By swathi on Aug 23, 2009

    red ants bite and keep on bothering, good solution for them

  111. By long nguyen on Aug 26, 2009

    this is pretty cool, i am all in for a much greener world.

  112. By Raymond on Aug 27, 2009

    i would love to try this

  113. By Amy Abney on Sep 12, 2009

    great information for my son’s ant project

  1. 4 Trackback(s)

  2. Jul 9, 2009: How to Kill Ants Organically | Organic Bug Spray & Insecticides by EcoSMART
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  5. Nov 20, 2009: Latest ants facts news – The Buzz – Bakersfield.com – More than before.

116 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers! (details)