Why does DEET kill ants?

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I have DEET bug spray for mosquitos. From what I read, it interferes with the way that mosquitos smell, causing them confusion and preventing them from smelling the individual wearing it.

Recently, I’ve started spraying ants in my home with it. They all slow down substantially, walk strangely, and then die. And they don’t seem to come back where I’ve sprayed, for days.

Why is this? Why would a chemical which causes mosquitos to just not be able to smell cause ants to act strangely and die?

In: Chemistry

4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

I believe DEET specifically affects the neurological system; effectively making the mechanics of their bodies not work anymore.

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