I hate to quote AI Overview since it is often wrong, but here’s what it says:
Ants are not typically "attracted" to radio waves themselves, but rather the heat emitted by electronic devices, which can be a key attractant in cold weather. Research suggests that ants are sensitive to magnetic fields, which they use for navigation, and exposure to strong or altered electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can disorient or disturb their natural behaviors. Here's how these factors interact, especially in cold conditions: * Attraction to Heat: Ants are ectothermic (cold-blooded) and seek warmth to maintain their metabolic rates and ensure their brood develops properly. In cold weather, they are often drawn indoors to sources of heat, such as electronic devices (laptops, power supplies, appliances) or wall voids where heating elements or pipes are located. The actual radio waves (a form of EMF) are incidental to the heat being generated. * Sensitivity and Disruption: Ants possess magnetoreception, a "sixth sense" that allows them to use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation. Studies show that exposure to strong or artificial magnetic fields can interfere with this internal compass, affecting their foraging trails, speed, and decision-making abilities. * Behavioral Response: When exposed to these fields, ants may exhibit confused behavior, stop moving, or move away from the source. They are not "attracted" to the radio waves as a desirable stimulus; rather, their normal sensory functions are disrupted. * Cold Weather Context: In cold weather, the primary driver for ants to enter homes or cluster around electronics is the need for a warm, stable environment. If an ant encounters an EMF source, it might be disoriented, but the initial attraction is likely the warmth the device provides. In conclusion, ants are primarily attracted to the warmth of electronics in cold weather, but strong electromagnetic fields can disrupt their normal behavior and navigation systems. From: AF <[email protected]> On Behalf Of David Hannum Sent: Friday, October 31, 2025 3:49 PM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] PMP100 I think ants like RF the way wasps do when it's cool . . . it must warm their bodies . . . On Fri, Oct 31, 2025 at 4:01 PM Bill Prince <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: We had a stinger that got filled with ants once. I thought the SM had gone bad, but when I pulled it down, it seemed to have extra weight. Not sure why the ants decided to take up residence, and I don't remember what happened that they got in. I think they came up through the gap around the SM case, or at least that's what I remember. bp <part15sbs{at}gmail{dot}com> On 10/30/2025 8:36 PM, Ken Hohhof wrote: I did have a couple SuperStingers that stopped working in winter and were really heavy when the techs took them off. They had filled up with water and turned into blocks of ice. I think at the time Chuck said there was a problem with the thermal welding process or something like that. It was nice in the FSK days to send a tech out for an install or repair with just one radio. Then use it bare or with a Stinger, SuperStinger, reflector dish, or “big dish” to get the antenna gain you needed. From: AF <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Steve Jones Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 10:16 PM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <mailto:[email protected]> <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] PMP100 the 2.4 stinger is how i found out wbmfg was a solid company. I didnt know shit back then. I put one on expecting massive numbers and just wasnt seeing much (turns out i was seeing what I was supposed to). I called about it, you almost beat me up through the phone trying to get the units back to get on your bench to figure out what was wrong with them and had already shipped replacements On Thu, Oct 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM Chuck McCown <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: One of my better ideas. From: AF [mailto:[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> ] On Behalf Of Steve Jones Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2025 7:31 PM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [AFMUG] PMP100 stingers were great On Thu, Oct 30, 2025 at 7:30 PM Ken Hohhof <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> > wrote: Today we took down a long dead Cambium 9000APC from a tower. I looked at it and went “what is that”? The antenna was a KPP sector and I was expecting the AP to be attached to the back of the sector. I had forgotten that the FSK APs looked just like SMs. I guess partly because I mostly deployed Cyclones. I do remember the 900 MHz SMs with Chuck’s Stingers on top, connected with a coax cable. -- AF mailing list [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com -- AF mailing list [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com -- AF mailing list [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com
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