The best know creature that eats ants is known as an anteater, but we don’t have any here in the UK. But did you know that ants are consumed on a regular basis by a variety of other species of animals? Ants have many different predators, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, other insects, spiders, and even bacteria! And it’s not just ants that get eaten; some of these predators will also eat other invertebrates such as worms, snails, slugs, millipedes, centipedes, beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches, and more.
Can humans eat ants?
Yes, we can eat ants and many people do so regularly. Eating ants is a prevalent tradition in many parts of the world, where they are utilized as components in recipes or eaten raw.
Ants are thought to be one of the most nutritious foods available. They are an environmentally beneficial animal-based protein source. Specifically, ants are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Weaver ant larvae and eggs, for example, have about 7 grams of protein per 100 grams of weight. Adult leaf-cutting ants and black ants, on the other hand, have an average protein content of 42–53 grams and 40–45 grams per 100 grams, respectively. Ants also supply fiber and minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Though edible ants are safe to eat, consuming entire ants infected with a specific parasite poses a slight risk of illness. Poisonous ants, such as fire ants and jack jumper ants (found abroad), and the UK’s pharaoh ants should be avoided.
In what countries do people eat ants?
People in Africa, Asia, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe eat ants. Entomophagy is a practice known as the consumption of insects by 2 billion people around the world. It is more commonly found in Africa than everywhere else on the planet. More than 500 species of edible insects live and are commonly eaten on the continent, ants are one of them.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and South Africa are the leading insect eaters in the African continent.
Are UK ants edible?
Ants thrive throughout the United Kingdom, ranging in millions, if not billions. The majority of ant species in the country are edible and have a lovely sour flavor. When they are threatened, they release an acid, which gives them their sour, vinegar-like flavor.
Where can I find an ant’s nest?
You can find ants nests anywhere there are ants. They prefer moist environments but can survive in dry areas too. You’ll often see ants in woodpiles, under rocks, in piles of leaves, or inside logs.
Ants are opportunistic, building nests anywhere they can find a safe haven. Every animal has its own preferences.
What do ant’s nests look like?
Nests made by ants are dome-shaped structures with tunnels leading inside. A little pile of soil or dirt can serve as a nest location. They range in shape and size depending on the species. Nests are most commonly found under eaves, deck railings, bridges, rocks, bricks, or on tree trunks. Sometimes ants make nests deep inside concrete walls.
Why do ants bite?
It is important to understand why ants bite before trying to remove them. Most bites occur when ants are defending themselves against predators. People that invade an ant’s habitat are bitten or stung by the ants. If you trod barefoot on an ant mound, for example, this could be an ant colony.
Biting is a form of self-defense used by ants to protect themselves from being attacked. Ants use their mandibles to pinch off pieces of prey and then carry them away. Sometimes, however, ants bite humans and pets without provocation. In these cases, biting occurs accidentally.
How to treat an ant bite?
Ant bites normally go away on their own and don’t require treatment, but if they bother you, medication is available to relieve your symptoms. Unless your symptoms are severe, most treatment options are available at home and do not require a visit to your healthcare practitioner.
If your symptoms from an ant bite linger longer than a week to ten days, see your doctor. The following are at-home remedies you can resort to if you are bitten by an ant:
- ice to reduce swelling
- acetaminophen to relieve pain
- antihistamines to stop itching
If these don’t work, a healthcare professional will recommend new or stronger therapies.
