Ants are attracted to humans for several reasons, often related to food and scents. They may be foraging for sweet or oily substances on the skin, or attracted by residues of sugary drinks or food. Similarly, perspiration and certain perfumes or lotions can inadvertently attract these insects. Ants also use scent trails to guide their colony to food sources, so a single ant encountering something appealing on a person can lead to more ants following the same path.
Understanding the factors that attract ants to humans has practical benefits. It allows individuals to take preventive measures, such as maintaining personal hygiene, promptly cleaning food spills, and choosing unscented personal care products. Historically, observations of ant behavior, including their attraction to certain substances, have contributed to broader entomological knowledge, influencing pest control strategies and even informing some aspects of robotics and artificial intelligence.