Why do ants get inside electronic appliances?

You expect ants when food is nearby, but have you noticed that they sometimes also end up in electronic appliances?

According to Kuya Kim Atienza's report on "24 Oras," a netizen named Ernalyn Torres was surprised to find her TV swarming with ants.

“Noong una po sa isang side lang siya, tapos dumami na po siya hanggang sa isang side din po. Hindi na masyadong nababasa yung mga nakasulat sa TV,” she said.

When they opened up the TV, even more ants emerged.

Experts said there are many reasons why ants live in our homes, such as food and moisture.

However, ants are also said to be attracted to different types of electrical fields.

“‘Pag malapit na sila sa TV, ang susunod nilang mararamdaman [ay] warmth, parang gumagawa ng satellite nest apart from their colony. Iyon ang pinaka acceptable na theory, pero hindi pa siya scientifically proven. Pwede silang makuryente. Kapag na kuryente sila, lalabas sila ng pheromone na nagtatawag pa ng ibang langgam,” said entomologist Alhmar Cervantes.

There are an estimated 20 quadrillion ants, or 2.5 million times as many ants as humans there are more ants than humans. Ants are found in all continents except one: Antarctica.

They are considered the longest-lived insects, and are also among the strongest animals in relative strength, capable of lifting more than 50 times their body weight.

Cervantes warned the public not to use liquid sprays to eliminate ants.

"Hanapin mo yung ant trail nila. Gamitan mo ng mga repellent o kaya yung mga detergent para ma-block mo yung ant trail,” he said. — Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News