Ants are highly efficient foragers whose dietary preferences are driven by the immediate and long-term needs of their colony. Worker ants seek resources that satisfy two primary requirements: a quick source of energy for foraging and the necessary building blocks for colony growth and reproduction. The specific foods they seek can shift depending on the season and the developmental stage of the larvae within the nest. Their ability to detect and exploit a wide range of food sources makes them common household and garden visitors.
High-Energy Sources: Sugars and Starches
The most common attractants for foraging worker ants are simple and complex carbohydrates, which serve as the colony’s primary energy source. These foods provide the quick fuel necessary for workers to maintain their high level of activity. Worker ants often prefer liquid or easily dissolvable sugars because adult ants are unable to ingest solid food particles.
High-sugar liquids like honey, syrups, fruit juices, and soft drinks are particularly attractive, as are sugary baked goods and candies. These items frequently cause sudden, large-scale indoor infestations because their strong scent is easily detected. Starchy foods, which are complex carbohydrates, also draw ants, as they can be broken down into sugars.
Common starchy items that attract ants include bread crumbs, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereals. While adult ants cannot consume solids, they carry starches back to the nest for the larvae to process. The larvae then regurgitate a liquid food source back to the adult workers (trophallaxis), ensuring the entire colony benefits from the carbohydrate haul.
Building Blocks for the Colony: Proteins and Fats
While carbohydrates fuel the workers, proteins and fats are collected to support the growth of the colony. Protein is required for the queen to produce eggs and for the developing larvae to grow. Without a steady supply of protein, the colony cannot expand its population.
Ants actively seek out protein-rich sources such as meat scraps, cheese, and dead insects. Fats (lipids) are also collected, often combined with protein, and are important for larval health and development. Foods like nut butters are highly attractive because they offer a blend of sugar, protein, and fat.
The colony’s preference for protein often shifts seasonally, with demand peaking in the spring and early summer when the queen is laying the most eggs. Certain species, including Pharaoh and Carpenter ants, have a stronger preference for these protein and fat sources, especially during rapid expansion.
Outdoor and Hidden Attractants
Beyond kitchen spills, ants are drawn to several less apparent food and moisture sources. One significant natural attractant is honeydew, a sugar-rich liquid excreted by sap-sucking insects like aphids and scale. Ants often form a symbiotic relationship with these pests, protecting them from predators in exchange for this honeydew.
Pet food left outdoors or in accessible garages is a major attractant because it provides a balanced meal of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Both dry kibble and wet food are targeted, and the strong odors make them easy for foraging ants to locate. The presence of pet food can quickly establish a consistent food trail, leading to a persistent outdoor ant problem.
Ants are also strongly attracted to moisture, especially during dry periods. They seek out damp soil, leaky faucets, or condensation around air conditioning units to collect water, which is essential for their survival and for regulating nest humidity. Natural garden debris, such as fallen, overripe fruit and plant seeds, also provides a readily available food source for many ant species.