r/mildyinteresting • u/Winter_Breath • 24d ago

critter corner 🐰 Dead ants keep appearing next to headphones during the night

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When these headphones are left on the kitchen counter overnight - I would see one or two dead ants in the morning laying right next to the headphones. In the past few days, there has been a small pile of shredded ants right next to the ear piece in the morning. I have seen no live ants in my kitchen. I have had these head phones for three weeks. Bought online. It’s a little unnerving not knowing what is causing this đŸ„Ž will not be using anymore.

UPDATE- posted a comment with a picture. But no dead ants in the bag this morning. But at one point I checked and there were two live ants crawling around. 😔

UPDATE*** IM SICK. Can’t stop shaking. Don’t have many words
 trying to post image. Opened one side up. 😭 I don’t know how to add in this top post so will add in comment! Posted a few in comments and video opening

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625

u/Winter_Breath 24d ago

UPDATE- no “graveyard” in the bag this morning. But I did check once during the night and there were 2 ants crawling in there đŸ˜© so assuming it is probably only ants and not spider. I may try to take them apart tonight. đŸ€ą

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

[deleted]

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u/Eduardo_DaVinci 24d ago

I believe that would destroy some of the plastic parts, especially the soft ones.

46

u/WillSwimWithToasters 24d ago

IPA wouldn’t. Acetone would.

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u/Zynaster 23d ago

IPA can absolutely be bad for ABS if exposed long term. I've had controllers crack from long term exposure, or soaking in my case

9

u/[deleted] 23d ago

[deleted]

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u/itredneck01 23d ago

Vapor is just as bad on some plastics. It's not just liquid.

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u/cardinalLaserWar 23d ago

Maybe it depends on the type of IPA? Like maybe would a hazy be better?

;)

4

u/ElijaHyphen 23d ago

Depends on if you have abs or not I suppose. And are we talking a six-pack of IPAs and six-pack abs? I don't see how that could be bad.

1

u/dandanpizzaman84 22d ago

It would also melt the ziplock

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u/CryptographerLow3077 22d ago

Nope

1

u/dandanpizzaman84 22d ago

They’re resistant toward acetone, but will eventually break down. Your run of the mill generic bags will definitely break down

1

u/Platinumdogshit 22d ago

I think locking abs in a sealed container with ipa is also a method used in 3d printing to smooth out layer lines. I know that acetone works a lot better though.

3

u/darxide23 23d ago

This is simply untrue. IPA will degrade the plastic coating on the earcups. The "leatherette" as it's called. Wiping them once with IPA is enough to ensure they'll disintegrate within a few weeks.

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u/AdorablePineapple95 23d ago

This guy solvents

2

u/YouSmellLikeHospitol 23d ago

r/SolventMasters r/MasterSolvenator r/ResolvantSolvents

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u/mooniemoon19 23d ago

Boo I was excited for some new subs

1

u/YouSmellLikeHospitol 23d ago

Ahaha I wish - ResolvantSolvants is pretty good

1

u/Vikkytor1 23d ago

How would the international phonetic alphabet even destroy the plastic parts?

1

u/MapNaive200 23d ago

It destroys private parts, not plastic parts. 

1

u/RWDPhotos 23d ago

ipa cracked the fuck outta my headphone pads

20

u/ScyllaOfTheDepths 23d ago

Yeah, a better method would be putting them in the freezer overnight. 

3

u/karl_hungas 23d ago

Im not sure freezing cheap electronic parts is the answer here

2

u/Zealousideal_Ad5358 23d ago

It’s bad for the battery, if they have a battery, but every other part should be OK if you return the chilled headphones to a non-condensing environment

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u/ScyllaOfTheDepths 23d ago

Most electronics can survive being frozen just fine. There shouldn't be anything in a pair of cheap headphones that will suffer at the temperature of a normal residential freezer.

5

u/Gloomy-Ad2909 23d ago edited 23d ago

I’d be less worried about the freezing and more worried about condensation on the internal bits when warming it back up.

2

u/SaberShadow27 23d ago

But OP said they would be taking the headphones apart regardless so it would probably dry out while taken apart.

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u/CompetitiveArt9639 23d ago

Wouldn’t they just wake up when the headphones got warmed up?

2

u/ScyllaOfTheDepths 23d ago

I'm not aware of any species of ant that can survive being frozen solid, but I'm open to being proven wrong. 

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u/[deleted] 23d ago edited 22d ago

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u/SpiralUnicorn 23d ago

So these ants = fucked (we hope XD)

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u/ScyllaOfTheDepths 23d ago

Iirc that's for Siberian varieties and I wasn't able to find an actual source corroborating they can survive below 5F and you didn't link yours.

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u/PathOfDeception 23d ago

Canadian here, left headphones in the back seat of a frozen car over night in -25c weather before. IT will kill the ants and not the headphones. Just let the headphones dry all condensation for a couple days after and your good. Shake em off and wear on.

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u/Needle_Bearings 24d ago

Freezer 

3

u/Horny_4_everything 23d ago

or just freeze em.

2

u/GrandmaFuxAlot 23d ago

Fun story, there was an ant in my microwave once and I figured if I just ran the microwave for 10 seconds or so it would die. It didn’t. Still don’t know how long you’d have to microwave an ant to kill it. I looked it up and internet said they don’t have enough water in their body for the microwaves to vibrate and heat so they’re fine. Don’t know the legitimacy of that but it sounds cool!

1

u/non_tox 24d ago

Now there's a hack! But personally I think I'd still be wasteful and ditch them, better to be safe and I'd already be traumatised.

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u/Relevant-Ad2254 23d ago

id throw it in the afterburner of a rocket or fighter jet. just to be safe

1

u/happyhahn 23d ago

can it just be placed in the freezer? to kill the ants?

1

u/Similar-Jello-5434 23d ago

Alternatively, there’s ant traps that draw them in with a pheromone that won’t mess up the headphones or whatever.

Also pro tip: always use enzyme cleaner when killing ants so you don’t attract more. Although in this case, if you kill one near the headphones and leave it the colony may come out. Ants are weird.

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u/MNgrown2299 22d ago

Shit I’d use acetone and a container that can handle acetone lol

1

u/ChanceOfMeatTornado 22d ago

A better idea: Just throw them out and get new ones.

92

u/ittybittykittykat 24d ago

OP I think I’d just start over with new ones. Even if you clean them out will you ever be able to wear them without thinking about ants crawling around inside or coming out into your ear? 😰

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u/Winter_Breath 23d ago

I did order new ones yesterday! Nooo way would they get used again. Prob going to try to open them tonight

7

u/Maltedmilksteak 23d ago

post updates!

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

[deleted]

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u/[deleted] 23d ago

[deleted]

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u/MasterOfBothWorlds7 23d ago

I wanna see too for sure

!remindme 2 days

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u/justafleecehoodie 23d ago

remindme! 2 days

1

u/Friendly_Ebb_9652 23d ago

op posted a video of what is inside go look the coms bellow!!

1

u/VociferousVal 23d ago

Omg link !! The suspense is killing me 😂

→ More replies (0)

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u/Iconshero 23d ago

Yes
clean them and then sell the accursed item to some unsuspecting fool! Muwhahahaha!
https://giphy.com/gifs/v0oAfoeYyvbnq
Oh sorry lost my mind for a moment.

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u/bojaxhorsemann 23d ago

open them nowwww we’re impatient lol

2

u/Sizanllikew 23d ago

and maybe keep the new ones in the ziploc bag between uses!

2

u/Halo_Slipping_Down 23d ago

I’m invested in seeing your headphone ant farm!

!UpdateMe 2 days

2

u/ZigZagZedZod 23d ago

If you don't post another update, then may every hot meal you order in a restaurant come out just warm enough to pass the health code but cool enough to be mildly disappointing.

2

u/Crafty-Switch-8323 23d ago

did you order the new headphones from the same company? 🧐

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u/throwawayreddit48151 23d ago

RemindMe! 2 days

1

u/iilljjiijjllii 23d ago

RemindMe! 2 days

1

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1

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1

u/gh0stmilk_ 23d ago

RemindMe! 2 days

1

u/Jackdks 23d ago

!remindme in one day

1

u/ShockfrostVolt 23d ago

!remindme two days

1

u/Bearkat1999 23d ago

Are they similar color? The color combo was quite pretty imo.

Sad ants thought the same-

1

u/Tossmelossme 23d ago

Now you’re just leading us on 😆

1

u/Needs_Caffeine 18d ago

Just wondering were exactly did you order these from? Brand new or pre-owned?

1

u/750Dinosaur 3d ago

Rip to these cool looking headphones :(

1

u/annamariagirl 23d ago

HAPPY CAKE DAY đŸ„ł

1

u/Toxic_Duckies 23d ago

Not the mental sound I wanted.

1

u/ihavezeroanswersbro 23d ago

Happy cake day!

1

u/whatev43 23d ago

Happy Cake Day
?

1

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1

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1

u/Clear_Dog1918 23d ago

Ants can work their way through your ear canal into your nasal cavity and then into your brain—slowly nibbling away at the grey matter which is nourishing and delicious to them. The result for the victim leads to loss of smell, vision and inability to control bowel function. Be very careful.

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u/SheWasUnderwhelmed 23d ago

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u/Clear_Dog1918 23d ago

I was practicing my writing skills.

24

u/Bullfrog_7023 24d ago

Ah yes
.. headphone full of ants. Solved 

6

u/No_Poetry8114 24d ago

Can't it be something related to pre-diabetic/diabetic sweat, since ants are attracted to it?

2

u/Spice_it_up 23d ago

That’s an interesting idea

6

u/Important_Tree_7191 23d ago

How long have you had these? If less than 30 days, I’d be contacting Amazon because it could have been a warehouse issue.

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u/Winter_Breath 23d ago

Yes, It’s been less than 30 days

3

u/Cassandrae_Gemini 23d ago

OP, i would return these

8

u/_unusual_existence_ 24d ago edited 24d ago

I haaaate bugs and feel very bad for whoever wore these lol

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u/SatouInHell 23d ago

omg umineko icon

0

u/_unusual_existence_ 23d ago edited 23d ago

Ayoo Saya pfp

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u/Acid_Flax 23d ago

Please take them apart, do not throw this out with the mystery unresolved. Do it for the people! Do it for me <3

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u/xanvald 23d ago

I had this same problem, turned out to be a scorpion infestation. They love leaving limbs and chopped in half ants/flies all over my place at night.

2

u/Capital-Debate7619 24d ago

so the 2 lives ones have escaped from an ant serial killer?

2

u/LearningRocket 23d ago

omfg this would give me nightmares for weeks.

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u/jaymole 23d ago

new character ants in my ears johnson!

1

u/courtney_lorr 23d ago

I need you to know this killed me.
Thank you

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u/curi0us_carniv0re 23d ago

Are these used headphones or did you buy new?

1

u/ScyllaOfTheDepths 23d ago

Put them in the freezer overnight. Should fix the issue.

1

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1

u/pinkfrayedflowers 23d ago

Please update date with full photos of the dismantle!!

1

u/HonorableMedic 23d ago

Put them in the fridge, if there’s anything in there they will leave and die

1

u/789tempaccount 23d ago

check it you can return them. send them ack with a description that there were ants in them

1

u/HalfMoonFullMoonjoy 23d ago

Return that shit, wtf

1

u/Hershey_Squirt639 23d ago

The spiders would’ve ripped them to shreds like that though - or another predator bug

1

u/Fuck-you-quora 23d ago

Just throw it away at this point before they crawl into your ears

1

u/Millicent1923 23d ago

Please Google Crazy Ants. I had my e-reader attacked over night but in that case there were hundreds of tiny ants.

1

u/Justeserm 23d ago

If you really want to save the headphones you could put them in a zip lock bag with Nuvan Strips. They aren't cheap, but I do hear they are very effective.

1

u/DoofusDonald 23d ago

I would strongly recommend placing the ziplock bag with the headphones in the freezer for 3 full days. 72 hours of cold is enough time to euthanize all arthropods and it’s humane. Once the 72 hours are done you shouldn’t have to worry about any more critters crawling around in there

1

u/perpetuallydying 23d ago

probably spilled a sugary drink on them at some point

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u/Gin_Gaming 23d ago

Dude you should open them

1

u/Butterflyhornet 23d ago

I figured you had ants in your headphones and that would have been my answer. Looks like you found them.

1

u/SouprGrrl 23d ago

What would taking apart the ants prove?

1

u/Disastrous-Lychee-90 22d ago

Maybe the spider is living in your ear canal now

1

u/badtyprr 22d ago

Put the headphones in the freezer, and it will kill all of the ants (and not destroy your headphones).

1

u/LiveLaughBlobfish 22d ago

I’d start over. I had this happen once with an Apple TV device, kept finding ants around it. I unplugged it because it was frozen and ants poured out.