Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are one of the most damaging and expensive invasive insect species worldwide. Originally from South America, they have spread to coastal and southern regions of the United States. What makes them so difficult to control is their large, interconnected colonies with multiple queens, which allows them to grow rapidly, share resources and survive partial pest treatments.

A recent study in iScience suggests that caffeine might help Argentine ants learn and remember better. The researchers noticed that when they added caffeine to a sugary treat, the ants took more direct paths to the food, even though they did not move any faster. The researchers hope to use these findings to develop more effective pest-control baits. Additional research is needed to bring the developing findings to commercial use.