How do ants know when you're about to harm them?
Ants have highly sensitive antennae that allow them to detect changes in their environment, including the presence of potential threats. When an ant detects danger, such as looming movement or vibrations, it can alert the rest of the colony through chemical signals called pheromones. These pheromones can trigger a defensive response, causing nearby ants to retreat or initiate a counterattack.
If you're trying to harm an ant, it may exhibit evasive behavior or release alarm pheromones to communicate the threat to other ants. This warning system helps ants protect themselves and their colony from harm.
To learn more about how ants communicate and coordinate their actions, you can read the article "How Ants Talk: Pheromones, Signals, and Collective Intelligence."