Hello steemians, it is a known fact that ants hate cucumber. In fact cucumber are used to repel them, especially in homes.
I decided to look into it, the main reason why it happens. I came across some facts, then I decided to share.
Ants are insects that are identified by elbowed antennae and a distinctive node-like structure
They are easily identified by their elbowed
antennae and the distinctive node-like structure that forms their slender waists.
The ant body can be divided into three main segments: the head, mesosoma, and
metasoma.
It is the head that contains the two antennae ("feelers") : these organs detect chemicals, air currents, and vibrations; they also are used to transmit and receive signals through touch.
Now let us take a look at cucumber, it is a creeping vine. Belongs to class of botanical berry. There is a chemical called nonenal, which could be found in cucumber.
Nonenal is an unsaturated aldehyde, its trans form has a scent. It is this scent that the ants cannot stand, they stay away from it
This trans 2-nonenal is even more at the back of the cucumber fruit i.e. its peel. The ant use its antennae to perceive the scent then turns away from it.
So if you site an ant hole, just put cucumber near it. They would not come near it again.
Trans 2-nonenal is the trick!
Keep steeming!