zaro

Are Ants Dirty or Clean?

Published in Ant Cleanliness 1 min read

Ants are very clean animals. They maintain this cleanliness through a variety of meticulous behaviors.

How Do Ants Stay Clean?

Here’s a breakdown of how ants manage to keep themselves clean:

  • Oily Saliva: Ants have a specialized oily saliva that they use to groom themselves. They lick their bodies to spread this saliva, effectively cleaning and oiling their exoskeletons.
  • Antennae Care: Antennae are crucial for communication and finding food. Ants diligently clean their antennae to ensure they function properly. They can be seen using their legs to brush them.
  • Social Grooming: Ants also engage in social grooming, where they help clean each other. This helps to ensure the entire colony stays clean and healthy.


Aspect Description
Grooming Method Licking with oily saliva, using legs to clean antennae, social grooming
Purpose Maintain cleanliness, ensure functionality, prevent spread of disease
Frequency Frequent throughout the day


Given these behaviors, ants can be considered surprisingly clean.