Why Do Ants Attack Electronics?

People are asking why do ants always attack their TV. Jokingly, I told them that the ants like watching movies just as much as they did.

Ants are eusocial insects of the family Formicidae and, along with the related wasps and bees, belong to the order Hymenoptera. Ants evolved from vespoid wasp ancestors in the Cretaceous period. More than 13,800 of an estimated total of 22,000 species have been classified. They are easily identified by their geniculate (elbowed) antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.

In 1966, E. O. Wilson and his colleagues identified the fossil remains of an ant (Sphecomyrma) that lived in the Cretaceous period. The specimen, trapped in amber dating back to around 92 million years ago, has features found in some wasps, but not found in modern ants. The oldest fossils of ants date to the mid-Cretaceous, around 100 million years ago, which belong to extinct stem-groups such as the Haidomyrmecinae, Sphecomyrminae and Zigrasimeciinae, with modern ant subfamilies appearing towards the end of the Cretaceous around 80–70 million years ago.

Ants in electronic devices create connections upon contact with the electricity, leading to short circuits. These reactions from electric appliances will electrocute ants and make them release the alarm pheromones they use to communicate with each other.

Other ants may dig up tunnels and holes for their entire colony, but some invasive species may only search for cavities ideal for nesting, such as carpenter ants. Carpenter ants invade electrical devices because it has many tiny openings and enclosures, perfect for making them feel safe.

Ants are also lured in by the warmth your electric appliances make because they can sense the magnetic fields from the electric wiring. Especially when the weather is a bit colder, they might like the heat from your appliances. Because of this, you can expect them to also seek shelter in other electric appliances, even in your electrical outlet. Some common species may even fit in tiny electronic devices, such as computers and cellphones.

Carpenter ants and other ant species may not only create their nests on tree stumps, tree branches, dead wood, and other moist areas, but they can also be comfortable in your electric appliances. These enclosures are ideal for providing warmth and the right supply of food. Here are electric appliances you might want to check for ant infestations:

  • circuit breakers
  • switch box
  • electric pump
  • air conditioner
  • telephone box
  • transformer box
  • electrical outlet, and others

Since many homes have these components, it might be more tricky to address ant infestations, so it’s best to take the right steps and strategize your ant control properly. Seeking a pest management professional will also be a big help in keeping your home pest-free.

Ants love heat and they often go to great lengths to achieve higher temperatures. But there are also species that work towards lowering it, often situated in very warm environments, like deserts and humid environments.