Does killing a stray ant in the home decrease the likelihood that more ants will appear in the future? : askscience
This was a question on Reddit. The consensus was yes. However, I wanted to tell them about my experiences with feeding ants but moderation on Reddit does not allow thinking outside the box.
That would have ended any attempt at telling my story except that minutes after reading the posts, I spotted an ant on the notebook I had open in front of my computer. What are the odds? It was as if God had sent a message to me, "it's OK to feed ants." I mean, here it is, the start of Winter, no ants had been invading, and a single ant makes itself known to me right after the Reddit post where people were only thinking of killing.
In years past, when I encountered an ant checking out my window sill, I would feed it something sugary along with an occasional bit of cheese. I found that ants who find a suitable source of nutrition do not bother to invade. Sure, a scout or two is sent in but they pretty much are satisfied with what you give them. The cheese meal was very interesting. They seem to somehow--don't ask me how, I have a degree in biology but many times that means diddly-squat when you're dealing with a particular species--eat the good parts and leave the salt behind. It's amazing to see them do this.
My suggestion to loving people with ant infestations is to feed the little critters. A typical colony is only allowed to get so big before would be queens extend the territory far away (in ant miles, anyway).
Oh, and while you're at it, spread some peanut butter on the tree branches and make yourself some fine feathered friends.
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