Ants might be tiny, but their taste in loot is as bold as their work ethic.
These industrious insects will haul just about anything they find useful or interesting back to their nests, which might include….
- Pet Fur or Roadkill Remnants
Fur might gross you out, but ants see it as insulation gold.
They use it to block drafts and keep their colonies warm.
Practical and a little macabre, but hey, ants aren’t picky decorators.
2. Fingernail Clippings
Gross? Sure. Useful? Absolutely.
Ants love fingernail clippings because they’re tough and durable, making them ideal building materials.
So, next time you clip your nails on the porch, just know you might be contributing to the neighborhood ant condo.
3. Seedy Snacks
Ants are foodies with an unknowing green thumb.
Seeds with elaiosomes—fatty, nutrient-packed attachments—are like trail mix snacks for ants.
After hauling these seeds back to their nests, the ants often accidentally plant them. And soon plants like violets, bloodroot, or trilliums are sprouting in the area.
Who knew dinner and landscaping could go hand in hand?
4. Bird Feathers
Think feathers are just for pillows? Not according to ants!
These industrious critters use feathers to insulate their nests and control moisture levels.
Glenn from Backyard Pests explains, “Feathers help trap warmth and manage moisture, keeping the colony snug even on cold nights.”
5. Tiny Bits of Trash
Ants are the ultimate scavengers with a knack for turning trash into treasure.
Scraps of paper, tiny bits of wrappers, and other litter become vital tools for reinforcing their nests.
Urban ants are like the cleanup crew no one asked for, putting our discarded junk to surprisingly practical use.
6. Spider Web Silk
These little architects are all about repurposing!
Dragline threads—the super-strong silk spiders use to build their webs and the silk neuroscientists are studying—are scavenged by ants to reinforce their tunnels.
It’s like natural reinforced walls, giving their tunnels extra strength to prevent collapses.
7. Grains of Sand
Ants in sandy areas have mastered the art of small-scale engineering.
These overachievers collect grains of sand to create flood-resistant entrances and sturdy walls.
It’s their version of a beachfront property.
8. Exoskeletons
Ants are recyclers at heart.
They collect the leftover shells of other insects and dead spiders (no matter which one of these weird ways the spider died) to use as structural support in their nests.
As a bonus, exoskeletons can provide essential nutrients like calcium.
9. Moss and Lichens
Soft and spongy, moss and lichens are like the ant world’s version of memory foam.
These materials help regulate moisture and keep their nests comfy.
10. Sap or Resin
Sticky, gooey, and absolutely genius, sap and resin have powerful antiseptic qualities.
Ants use them to seal up cracks, fend off bacteria, and keep pests out.
Think of it as duct tape meeting disinfectant!
Now you know all about ants’ quirky hoarding habits, click HERE for the list of items ants have been known to carry AWAY from their nests.
