Ant Pheromones - Do We Really Care?

It's long been known pheromones play a huge role in the animal and insect world. Ant pheromones for example are used within the species not just for mating purposes but also as a warning mechanism.

For example, if a nest is disturbed, ants within the nest can release pheromones which are picked up up by other ants who then come to their defence. The interesting thing is the initial detection of the pheromone doesn't invoke a major panic or rush.

It's only when they get closer to the area of trouble and pick up the higher concentrated pheromone release that they begin to panic and act with more urgency. Then within what appears to be no time at all, things quieten down and the scene returns to one of calm.

Can We Learn From Ants?

I'm not sure whether we can learn from ants and I'm not sure whether we would want to be like them either but the ongoing debate about whether pheromones play a part in human interraction continues.

Studies suggest they do but unlike the animal world where pheromones are also used as a defence and social mechanism as well as attracting mates, it seems the primary concern in the human world is their use and effectiveness in the area of attraction and sex.

Come on, it's human nature isn't it. Ant pheromones are fine for ants but we wouldn't be human if we didn't ask the question... "what can pheromones do for me?" To take it one step further, not only is our primary concern about whether we can make use of pheromones to get laid, but during the past decade or so, savvy marketers have been cashing in big time through the exploitation of pheromone enhanced products on the market.

Do they work? I'm not sure but you can't be critical of anyone showing a little entrepreneurial spirit!

So what was the purpose of this short report? Well, it started out with the intention of highlighting the role of pheromones in the ant world. In fact, did you know some ants can actually leave a pheromone trail which is meant to act as a guide for other ants to follow. This happens when a food source is detected so other ants know exactly where to find it. It's a little like leaving colored ribbons along a walking trail in thick bush.

Ant pheromones was the original intention of this article but there's not much more I can add. Let's be realistic, it's not what role pheromones play in the ant world you're interested in. You really want to know if pheromones do exist in the human world and if they do, can they get you laid? Watch this space!

Effects Of Pheromones On Human Behaviour