The Smell of Ants 🐜

[nightglow]

It turns out some people can smell ants or a colony of ants. Never heard of it nor tried it myself.

Can you smell them?
If you can, what do they smell like to you?

And I wonder if different types of ants smell different or if all ants pretty much smell the same to people.

Have other thoughts on ants?

 

[Zerous]

I'm not a fan It's hard to describe but they almost smell woody/earthy sweet ? I guess? But not in a good way. I didn't realise not everyone could smell them : O

 

[Doo]

What on earth? I’ll vote in the poll once my poll cooldown has ended but no, I can’t smell ants and I didn’t know anyone could

 

[SkyKnight03]

If you kill an ant it leaves a scent so that other ants will know there's a threat.

I'm sensitive to it. If one crawls on me or my screen or textbook or whatever - I try and move it gently without crushing it.

 

[Firesquids]

I cant smell them from very far away ( I'm no bloodhound) but ants (especially crushed ants) have a smell that's sour, bitter and musty. The smell is similar to off-gassing plastic mixed with vinegar and a metallic tinge.

 

[oak]

My nose is plugged half the time so they don't smell like anything to me. Maybe if I got really close to an ant hill and smooshed them all then I'd be able to get a whiff

 

[Snek]

I can smell them and I hate their smell.

 

[Millysaurusrexjr]

I don't think I can because they have infiltrated the bathroom and it doesn't smell any different! I wish they would leave

 

[Seastar]

I can only smell one right after it was crushed, I think. I'm not sure if that counts.
It smells like chemicals to me. I don't like it.

 

[axaniao]

HUH? i didn't know that was even possible?? I've never paid attention to that but i don't think i can smell them LOL

 

[Hat']

Can't say I ever smelled ants before, I don't think I can distinguish that smell but it's definitely interesting!

 

[VernalLapin]

That’s interesting… don’t think I’ve ever noticed it though.

 

[digimon]

don't think i've ever noticed a smell from ants i didn't even know they had a scent, that's so fascinating

 

[Midoriya]

No, and I'm glad I can't, lol. That's gross.

 

[KittenNoir]

What???? Some people can’t smell them??????

I can and I hate the smell !!!!

 

[nightglow]

I am greatly amused by the variety of answers to this thread. Oh the things you learn browsing the internet.
I don't know if I can smell them or not tbh. Not gonna look at ants the same though

 

[BetsySundrop]

Yes, and it's not good!
I smell everything. Maybe it's just overall hypersensitivity, but smells are always really strong to me. Drives me nuts when I'm the only one smelling something (like smoke coming in a window) and nobody else smells it until it gets stronger.

I squished an ant once, smelled it, and realized 'oh thats what that smell is".

The grossest thing is, i once tried some "special" cheese with black truffle in it, and it tasted like that ant smelled. Ew. Now I don't like truffle anything because it tastes "anty".

 

[Doo]

I squished an ant once, smelled it, and realized 'oh thats what that smell is".

The grossest thing is, i once tried some "special" cheese with black truffle in it, and it tasted like that ant smelled. Ew. Now I don't like truffle anything because it tastes "anty".

No way I think I need to try smelling some ants

 

[Dunquixote]

I can’t smell them and don’t want to . The smell of fish flies here is more than enough

 

[BetsySundrop]

No way I think I need to try smelling some ants

It's so gross. Squish one and smell it, ew. But just be forewarned, you can't unsmell it, lol.

Bugs in general smell awful. Skunks, on the other hand, i don't mind the smell. I think they smell like coffee.