this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
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Science Memes

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[–] childOfMagenta@jlai.lu 24 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Are we talking formic acid from crushed ants or just there is an ant around and they can smell it?

[–] infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Not just crushed ants, I smell it when they're scared and running, but undamaged, as well. Calm ants though, they don't smell to me. I always assumed it was a warning chemical to other ants, or a deterrent for predators with more sensitive sniffers than I.

[–] AlboTheGuy@feddit.nl 4 points 1 day ago

Exactly, ants literally spray formic acid at anything that threatens them

[–] lightnsfw@reddthat.com 7 points 2 days ago (2 children)

I smell it either way but it's stronger when they're crushed.

[–] kandoh@reddthat.com 10 points 1 day ago

That's true of most animals

[–] SethTaylor@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

Sometimes science do be cruel like that