Can you smell ants?

I thought it was that some people's pee smelt of asparagus and others' didn't. I'm confused now!

There is also the thing with coriander - some say it tastes like soap.

I bet dogs can smell them.

My dog hates the smell of ticks. If I take one off him he always wants to look to see what I’ve done and curls his lip and shakes his head when he smell it.

Yes to asparagus pee !!

I wouldn't know about the smell of asparagus pee and I don't eat it. But is can smell blood and freesias.

As for ants, I hadn't really thought about them having a smell but I guess it is part of their defence mechanism.

MaizieD
How did freesias get into this, OP?

I once read about a genetic thing which meant some people couldn’t smell freesias, so I wondered if smelling ants might be the same.
Appatently being able to smell asparagus pee is the same, the smell being detectable by some, but not by others. I can’t smell that either.

Yes, I remember seeing a nature programme where a wood ants nest was disturbed and they said it smelt like salt and vinegar crisps - that’s the acid. I tried it and yes it does. I’d much rather be out trying this sort of thing than doing housework!!

Elegran I wasn’t being serious!

How did freesias get into this, OP?

I can smell freesias, but not ants and I have no enthusiasm for anything as it has rained solidly from the moment I woke up (about 6am) and it promising to go on raining all day...

I’ve never smelt ants, but could always smell freesias - when the ones you can buy did have a scent. Apparently the commercially produced ones often don’t any more.

Squiffy

How do you keep an ant still long enough to smell it?

Their nests smell of it when the ants have been disturbed.

Yes, ants smell acidic, as they emit formic acid. That is why birds often dust-bathe on ants' nests. The angry ants attack them with acid, which kills or drives off the parasites on birds. The birds must also enjoy how the acid feels as though they were scratching the parasite bites.

I can smell freesias too, plus I have no enthusiasm for household tasks, ever.

How do you keep an ant still long enough to smell it?

Ants no but Freesias ahhh! best smelling flowers