Ants are remarkably organized creatures, and with a little guidance, you can "potty train" your colony to use a designated "garbage can" to keep their habitat cleaner and easier to maintain. In the wild, ants naturally create designated garbage areas, or middens, where they deposit waste, such as food scraps, dead ants, and other debris.
By moving this midden into a small container, you can show your ants a new, convenient waste disposal location within their environment. Here’s how to get your ants to start using a mini garbage can!
1. Locate the Existing Midden
Ants usually select a specific spot in their foraging area to serve as their trash pile. To find their current midden, observe the area closely, looking for a small, cluttered spot where ants frequently leave discarded items, like old food or dead ants. The ants choose this location based on proximity to nest, and traits like humidity and temperature. Generally, it's in a cool and dry area so it doesn't rot.
Wild Ant "Middens"
2. Prepare the Container
Choose a small, shallow container to serve as the “garbage can.” A bottle cap or small plastic container works well. Make sure the container is clean and odorless, as ants are sensitive to unfamiliar smells that could disrupt their activity.
3. Move the Garbage into the Container
Carefully transfer the existing trash pile into the new container. You can use tweezers or a small stick to move the waste without disturbing the ants too much. By placing their established midden into the container, you’re essentially marking it as the new disposal site for your ants.
4. Place the Container in the Same Spot
Position the container right where the original midden was located. The ants will likely return to this familiar spot and recognize it as their dumping ground. Since ants rely on habit and pheromone trails, keeping the container in the original location encourages them to start depositing waste in the new “garbage can.”
5. Let the Ants Adapt
Give the ants some time to adapt to the new setup. Once they realize their trash is already in the container, they’ll likely continue using it as their designated midden. Over time, the ants should naturally keep placing their garbage into this new container. Eventually, the "scent" of the garbage can becomes tied to that of the midden pile, and you can move it around to move the midden pile.
"Potty trained Harvester Ant" Courtesy of Andrew Smith
6. Routine Maintenance
For cleanliness and to prevent mold, partially empty the container regularly. Make sure to leave some trash in the can to ensure the ants continue to associate the pile with the container.
Why It Works
Ants have an instinct to keep their habitats organized, and they stick to familiar routines, especially when it comes to waste disposal. By simply relocating their original midden to a container, you’re training them to use this small "garbage can" as their new trash site. This method takes advantage of ants' habitual behavior, helping to keep their environment tidy without requiring much intervention from you.
With patience and a bit of encouragement, your ants will learn to use their garbage can efficiently, making their home cleaner and healthier—and reducing the time you spend on maintenance!