If you leave exposed foods, especially sweets, ants are likely to be attracted and invade your home in large numbers. But you knew these insects can also be attracted to electronics? Appliances like notebooks, TVs, smartphones and other electronic devices may end up drawing ant attention.
They may seem harmless, but they are able to damage their electronic devices or, at least, cause a lot of discomfort because they appear frequently. An example is the species Nylanderia yellowalso known as Ant Raspberry Or crazy ant, which became famous precisely for invading electronic devices.
At first it may seem harmless to see only one or the other, but they can quickly alert the colony and infest their equipment.
Can ants cause electronics damage?
When ants begin to invade an electronic device, such as a TV, they release pheromones to attract other ants from the colony. With this, they can enter the electrical contacts, and their small bodies can conduct electricity, creating connections that lead to short circuits.
In this process, many ants end up electrocuted, but the problem is that your equipment can stop working. Although this does not happen in all cases, an infestation of these insects may, yes, cause damage to electronics.
Why does ants invade electronic?
It is noteworthy that this type of infestation is not linked to the presence of food or sugar waste in the equipment. A study published in the Environmental Scientific Journal Entomology showed that the fire ants, also known as red-fire ants, can be attracted by .
In addition to the fire ant, scientists explain that this effect has already been observed in several other species, such as in the white ant (Technomyrmex albipes)Ant Ant (Lagunia) and different types of ants Wasmannia. However, these species are not so common in Brazil.
“We demonstrate that the imported red fire, solemnopsis unbeaten, is attracted to electric fields. The attraction is directly proportional to the intensity of the field (determined by voltage and distance between loaded discs), both for direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC),” says the study of the study.
In another study published in the scientific journal PLOS One in 2019, scientists conducted experiments with species ants Pheidole, Ectatomma brunneum e Neoponera Inverse, which showed changes in behavior when they were exposed to low intensity.
Most common ants attracted by electronics in Brazil:
- Crazy Ant (Fulva Nylandia);
- Fire ant (solenopsis unbeaten);
- Formiga-Argentina (Linepithema Humile);
- Formiga-Faraó (Monomorium pharaoh).
Anyway, still There is no scientific consensus on why ants invade electronic equipment. It can be a combination of different factors, such as the search for warmer environments – and electronics produce heat.
“Ants have been reported as damage to switches and other electrical equipment, although the reason for this reaction is still unknown,” the study adds.
An explanation, which is not related to the electric fields, is that they can simply be In search of a closed and safe place to build your nest. After all, this is exactly what ants do when entering a house: they are looking for small spaces hidden to shelter.
How to Avoid Ants in Electronics
Prevention is the best strategy for avoiding residence ant infestations. In addition to the problem itself in relation to electronic devices, these insects may contaminate foods, utensils and surfaces with microorganisms brought from dirty environments.
Even foods are a major attractions for these insects, and even if their electronic devices have no food residue, ants can come to their home because of them.
Meet five practical tips to avoid ants at your residence:
- Cleaning: Ants are attracted to any exposed food residue, especially for sugary foods. Leave the house clean of crumbs and food remains;
- Proper storage of food: Store food in tightly closed jars or containers and avoid leaving them on counters or tables even at night. The dumpsters must also remain closed;
- SEE RESTRATES AND INPUT POINTS: Small cracks, cracks or cavities on the walls, baseboards, doors and windows are usually the input doors for the ants. Regularly inspect the house in search of these access points and cover them to prevent ants from invading the environment;
- Outdoor area and garden: The garden and areas around the residence can also be responsible for helping in the infestation. Avoid accumulating rubble, wood or construction remains next to the house. By keeping these areas clean and without the possibility of places for nests, you make new infestations difficult;
- Be aware of the first signs: Noticing rows of ants, immediately clean their path with soap and water to erase the trail of pheromone. If the problem persists, it is best to hire a specialist.
