Also, eliminate any sources of standing water, such as puddles, and keep plants and grass cut short. Additionally, they can help pollinate flowers and spread beneficial microorganisms that help plants grow. Which do you prefer: real or artificial? Sugar granules are very lightweight so they are easy to carry by ants. Theyre teeny, theyre tinybut do those little ants really have a sweet tooth, or is it just the nutrients theyre after? There is one significant drawback to this treatment. Most sugar ants come from outside your home and follow scent trails through openings in your home and foundation. While all ant species are attracted to water, the Many Lasius species is the one that is drawn the most. They can release chemicals, known as pheromones, to leave messages for other members of their colony. Below are a few of the benefits they can provide in the garden. For most ant species, the method for using borax is to mix it sugar or another sweet material, but grease ants are not fond of sweets, and this method will be more effective if you blend the borax with cooking oil, lard, peanut butter, or grease. Carbohydrates which includes rice or pasta are also beloved by ants and will ensure a visit, the reason they like carbs is that just like sugar, it gives them an energy boost. The body is yellow, bronze, or light brown and very shiny and smooth. Identify the ant species, take preventative measures, use baits, and consider chemical sprays as a last resort. Ants also use carbohydrates as an energy sourcethats why they tended to pick the white sugar in your experiment. Start with Prevention: The best way to get rid of ants in the garden is to prevent them from coming in the first place. Read this article on the topic. Read our, Use a Commercial Ant Bait on Indoor Colonies, Use Chemical Ant Killer on Outdoor Colonies, 7 Effective Methods to Get Rid of Ants Naturally, How to Get Rid of Sugar Ants in Your Home, 9 Types of Ants (And How to Get Rid of Them), How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Without Pesticides, How to Get Rid of Stinky Odorous House Ants, The 8 Best Ant Killers of 2023 for Indoor and Outdoor Use. This is because sugary items are densely packed with calories. For an extra boost against the ants, you can add a few drops of dish soap to your solution, which breaks down the ants protective barrier and makes it easier for the lemon juice to do its job. Effect of Artificial Light on Plant Growth, 1 teaspoon powdered aspartame-based sweetener, 1 teaspoon powered saccharin-based sweetener, 4 2x2 pieces of colored construction paper. As youve probably gathered, despite their nickname, sugar ants arent sweettheyre a nuisance. This scent trail behind other ants will be a marker for other ants to get the food. Get rid of the trash regularly and keep it sealed when kept indoors. Why do Ants Like Sugar vs. Saccharin is another artificial sweetener. This improves the soil structure, increases water retention, and promotes healthy plant growth. Food spills in kitchens are extremely attractive to grease ants, which is why this room is where you usually find them. Kids will love making sugar crystals in this sugar crystal science fair project which teaches important chemistry concepts like saturation and solubility. Grease ant colonies are generally small with several hundred to a couple thousand workers. Which Species Of Ants Is Most Attracted To Water? Dont confuse U.S. sugar ants with the real sugar ant, the banded sugar ant, which is found primarily in Australia. You can apply the oil directly to the ant trails and colonies. Some chemical agents in the water may also repel the ants. Chemical sprays contain toxins that can be harmful to humans and pets, so use care when using them. Ants like warm and moist conditions, so this makes them what is called an ectothermic animal. This means that their body temperature depends on the environment around them instead of regulating it themselves. Urea contains nitrogen, which helps all animals build proteins and other biological molecules. Like humans, ants need different types of food to survive. They need protein to help them create eggs and larvae need a lot of protein to grow into adult ants. Ants also use carbohydrates as an energy sourcethats why they tended to pick the white sugar in your experiment. Stevia comes from a plant that tastes very sweet. Center the empty circle of your base around the top of the ant hill so that the ants can come out and look around. What are ants attracted to, then? Some believe that the ants are attracted to the sweet and fatty substances in the food, while others believe that the ants are attracted to the scent of food. As they feed on dead and decomposing matter, they release nitrogen and other essential nutrients into the soil. Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape Ready-To-Spray, Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Cracks & Crevices, Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2, Comfort Wand. Biologically most organisms are programmed to look for food items that are rich in sugar content. They maintain a diet like any other animal and are very strict about that. There is a simple reason for that theres no magic involved though, ants are hunters and gatherers, they observe and scout and if one ant discovers a taunting smell or food, it will tell its friends about it and they will come and take a look. Hence diluted honey kept in a moisture-rich environment or a drop of sugary water on the table can attract hundreds of ants within a few minutes. All rights reserved. Here, the best strategy is to try to locate the colony, then spray it directly with a contact pesticide that is toxic to ants. (Yes. Spanish-English dictionary, translator, and learning. The only reason we see ants attracted more towards sugar is that the chances of sugar granules lying around the kitchen floor are much higher than other food items (owing to their minute size). Theres a variety of smell that attracts them, from sugary sweets to dirty clothing, from nuts to perfume. Aspartame is an organic chemical compound that is often used as an artificial sweetener. This phase takes place between mid summer and late fall. These are just a few ways how to get rid of ants in garden without killing plants. WebHowever, some controversy continues as to why ants are attracted to electrical circuits and switching mechanisms (Slowik et al. Ants are attracted to water because they need it to survive. Regular sanitation of countertops and floors is the best prevention. Clean up spills immediately, and wash floors and countertops regularly with a disinfecting cleaner. When the ants enter the bait trap, they ingest the bait and slowly get poisoned. The best way to do this is to use airtight containers, store your food and leftovers off of the countertops, and ensure you keep countertops free of crumbs and other food. However, they can be a nuisance, and having ants in the house is never good news. Grease ants do not make the list for ants that commonly bite. If Starch is Composed of Sugar Why Isn't Starch Sweet? Compared to other animals, though, ants are more suited to survive without water. In this article, we will discuss all the factors of how to get rid of ants in the garden. All you need to do is to mix a few drops of the oil with some water and spray the solution around areas where youve seen ants. Pet food is very attractive to ants. If youve ever watched ants running around your yard, you get the idea that ants need a lot of energy. After all, they do not need a lot of water to survive. They are masters at exploiting any Therefore, they are always on the lookout for calorie-dense foods like sugar. Getting rid of ants doesnt have to be an impossible task. Their name is an umbrella term for several different types of ants, including carpenter and pavement ants, which eat sugary foods. More specifically, they are attracted to the glucose found in urine [3]. No, normally ants arent attracted to paper. Destroying the nest is the best way to ensure that you rid your kettle and kitchen of ants. Flex your imagination to create a funny or crazy story to answer this writing prompt. In this experiment, see if these industrious insects prefer natural sweeteners to artificial ones. Artificial sweeteners, however, do not contain these carbohydrates and as a result, do little to attract ants. The site is governed by our Disclaimer, Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy posted on the website. They will also release pheromones to let the rest of their colony know they have found a source. Use the spray to penetrate the entire nest to ensure you kill the queen. Denver Metro Area. This is because diluted honey has got a greater water content in it which via evaporation releases a scent that ends up attracting the ants. So, if youre looking for a natural and easy way to keep your home ant-free, give dish soap a try. If youre having trouble getting rid of ants, you may want to call in a professional. Sugar ants invade indoor spaces, including kitchens and pantries, looking for sweet treats. Ant sprays are an affordable and accessible option if you can find the nest. I am the founder and owner of Fauna Facts. World rights reserved. Ant baits contain a sugar or protein attractant and a poisonous ingredient. A study does show that ants actually prefer white sugar to artificial sweeteners [2]. The following are more specific reasons why ants are attracted to water: Wet surfaces attract ants. Many species use sounds to communicate, but ants use a unique smell to individuals and colonies. Our discount makes it easier for new customers to get the best value in pest control. Read on as we will be sharing three reasons ants are attracted to your kettle and what you can do about it. They can smell food from far away, so if your kitchen is full of tempting treats, it wont be long before ants show up looking for a meal. When youre working outside, it can be hard to design an experiment that controls for all of the other reasons that ants might choose a specific sweetener. Identify the type of ant: The second step in getting rid of ants in the garden is identifying the species. Lastly, ants love their safety and comfortability and are always looking for better places to upgrade their nests. Because of a weakness for sweets, these ants are often called sugar ants.. As mentioned, you can only do this method if you can find the nest. National Pesticide Information Center, Oregon State University, 2014. There are many reasons why ants love food. Hassle-free returns. This method will work best with sugar ants, as many baits contain a mix of ant poison and sugar-based components, attracting the ants. They thrive in drinks that contain high fructose corn syrup, other sweet-smelling foods, Of course ants dont love every smell there is, they are picky when it comes to that, one smell they hate is garlic, other smells like ecalyptus or lavender are also not loved by them. Eliminating food, water, and shelter sources can help reduce the ant population in your garden. Four factors that explain why ants are attracted to water bottles: High source of sweetness: Water bottles that contain sugary drinks, such as sports drinks and juices, are especially appealing to ants. According to Dr. S. Bradleigh Vinsons description of Dr. MacKays work funded by the Texas Department of Transportation (pers. When a person has type 1 diabetes, glucose or sugar is unable to travel to the cells in the body that need it. This is not the case. Most of the time, ants get the water they need from the food they consume. WebBecause sugar contains high amounts of carbohydrates, a number of different ant species are attracted to food items that contain sugar. So, if you're looking for an effective, natural ant control solution, diatomaceous earth might be just what you need. While most ants wont invade homes for water alone, they are more prone to entering homes for water in very dry climates. }. Knowing which kind you are dealing with is critical to share a brief overview of the most likely suspects. The ants love sugar, which is found in many foods and beverages. Therefore, they are drawn to places where water is available. Following these natural methods, you can easily get rid of ants in the garden without resorting to harsh chemicals. What do ants eat? Salt helps all animals maintain proper bodily functions. Think about all of the reasons why ants may have found it easier to find, eat, or carry a particular food. They will not damage the structural integrity of your home either, although they are significant nuisances. They identify food with their sense of smell or touch it with their antennae to understand what chemicals the food is made out of. This can be animals such as: Some of the other most common things that attract ants in a garden are: If ants find something they like in your garden, they will quickly swarm around it. When they are not working properly, urine may contain large amounts of glucose, which can be attractive to ants. Like protein, it contains amino acids, but it only contains two of them: phenylalanine and aspartic acid. If given a choice, ants will prefer honey over solid sugar because it is easier for them to process. Ants are generally attracted to sugar and sweets. To ants, sugar means energy. Sugar is valuable food for ants because it is packed with calories. Ants are well-known as hard workers. Lisa Jo Lupo is a pest control expert with over 25 years of experience in the pest control industry, writing about pest identification and management. Fortunately, dealing with them doesnt have to be difficult. Ants prefer honey and sugar equally as both are heavily packed with calories. Store any food, including pet food, in containers with tight lids, and keep garbage cans covered. Grease ants found to be nesting indoors can be eliminated through baiting with commercial ant bait. Keep your garden free of trash, such as leaves and branches, which can be great hiding places for ants. In this Brown vs. Board of Education worksheet, children read the story of how the landmark decision came about, as well as the struggle that followed. Processed honey contains artificial additives that make it less sweet. So why do ants like sugar? You can prevent these types of ants from entering your garden by making sure they dont have what they need to survive and thrive in the soil. So theoretically they can have a little more preference towards brown sugar but in hindsight, it is unlikely to see any major difference in their preference between brown and white sugar. From an evolutionary standpoint, an organism should always look for the more densely calorie-packed food item than a low calorie-packed food item as it will mean that they will readily get a heavy dose of calorie into the body with the least effort. Check for breaks in the seals of your windows, doors, and anywhere caulk is used. However that by no means suggests that they wont be attracted towards granular sugar pieces, it just means that the probability of them getting attracted towards sugary liquid sources is a little bit more than to granulated sugar itself. Here are some of the most effective professional methods for getting rid of ants.. Grease ants are drawn indoors in search of warm temperatures and greasy, oily foods. They often get their water from food, such as fruits, vegetables, and meat, but will occasionally look to other sources. That is why you will find ants in damp places, small puddles, or a place that is always wet, like the bathroom and the kitchen. Once they reach the food source a taste modifier in ants kicks in and tricks them into thinking the artificial sweetener is nectar or honey, because it tastes like it. Ants are attracted to many different things, but what theyre looking for changes depending on where they live and where theyre going. The best way to destroy the nest is with an aerosol spray, such as the Raid Ant and Roach Spray. Related Article: Are Ants Attracted to Salt? While this may seem like an odd question, its origins is strongly rooted in the history of diabetes. This method is effective, but it can sometimes be challenging to identify their entrances. While they can go long without food, the deficiency of water is life-threatening. If youre bothered by sugar ants when you head outside, arm yourself withOrtho Home Defense Insect Killer for Lawn & Landscape. Pet food is full of nutrition for animals, which makes it perfect for ants as well. Also read: Why are ants attracted to sugar? You can If you want to stop ants from invading your garden, it is best if you can find what plants attract them and what food source is drawing them in so that you can take care of it. Are you finding ants in your garden? Carbohydrates Carbohydrates which includes rice or pasta are also beloved by ants and will ensure a visit, the reason they like carbs is that just like sugar, it gives them an energy Because sugar contains high amounts of carbohydrates, a number of different ant species are attracted to food items that contain sugar. Cinnamon is a natural ant repellent. Like all ants, there is an adult winged phase for the grease ant, Both queens and drones fly, and mating takes place while the insects are in flight. The best homemade ant killer combines equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. If you pour out a lot of salt in the entrance to your home, you wont be bothered by ants again. They are also relatively small in size and love to scavenge for food in your kitchen. Leaky pipes, water heaters, or indoor house plants are all water sources ants are attracted to . Ants can be a huge problem if not treated early, once they established the source of their feast it is hard to detract them, the only option left is to kill them. The term sugar ants encompassesseveral types of ants, including some that nest outdoors and only come inside to feed on sweets, as well as others that prefer to nest and feed inside a homepossiblyyourhome. Sprinkle some cinnamon powder around the edges of your garden to keep ants away. Its one of the places where people frequently experience ant infestations. Take Steps to Keep Your Garden Neat and Tidy: The best way to keep ants away is to ensure your garden is neat and tidy. If you have food lying around that might attract ants (and bugs in general), make sure its sealed up or put away correctly. Not as much energy as bees, to be sure, but still a lot. Sugar ants prefer a water source close to their food. Currently, she is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and pest specialist. Disclaimer Spray the solution directly onto the ants, and they will quickly back away. The worker ants travel far distances for food, then establish scent trails to that food. It is considerably smaller than some other common ants, at only 1/32 to 1/20 inch long. This means that they will be attracted to places that harbor any form of moisture. It is easily recognizable because of its yellow color and the lemony scent released when it gets squished. Just like most other living creatures, ants need water, food, and warmth to survive. Add a single drop of grease or oil to five to 10 drops of bait on a piece of wax paper. Sign up for your free Guide to Superior Home Protection. To switch between accounts click on the account below. Since sugar comes in many forms, it can be helpful to know what types of sugary foods they tend to prefer. Even so, most ant infestations occur during summer when there is drought. Why? Moisture ants are tiny, only about 4 millimeters (0.15 inches) in length, and tend to be almost yellow in color. We offer all the pest control services you need, including prevention, removal, and extermination. This means they tend plants, take care of aphids or other insects that feed on vegetation in order to get the sugar-rich secretions from what they eat. Including sugar in urine. For example, there is some evidence ants can smell and know to avoid window cleaning products like Windex. Vinegar kills and prevents them, and this is also a more natural approach. That is why during summer, you will tend to find more ants in your house. The most obvious is sugar in its most sugar-like form, including white, brown, and powdered sugars; honey; corn, maple and other syrups; and jams, jellies, and preserves. Food and water is also shared with others through a process of regurgitation. You can keep ants from causing damage to your garden with a few simple steps.. Ants are an important part of the natural balance and help to keep pests in check. The only thing identical about these ants is their sweets-loving nature. WebAnts like sugar and sweet things because of the energy that they can get from them. Ants also get protein from other dead insects, so make sure you clean these up, if you find any in your home. If you can imagine it, ants go wild when they stumble across anything sweet. In the United States, moisture ants are common in Oregon and Washington because of the abundance of moisture in these places. Some common garden ant species include pavement ants, carpenter ants, Black/Garden ants, Red Wood ants,& Black Wood ants. Baits should be placed in areas where ants are known to be active, and the bait should be changed regularly. Ants are like us in many ways (they have societies, they wage wars, they farm), including the fact that theyre omnivores. They find their way inside much like other bugs and pests do: through cracks in the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and tears in door and window screens. This prevention technique works best with consistency and thoroughness. Ants are attracted to honey because of its sugar content. As their name suggests, they will mostly be attracted towards your kitchen storage and towards sugary food options around the house. This type of ant is also harmless and, if accidentally consumed, will add a bit of protein to your meal. In the clear box, put one pile of pure cane sugar on one side and one pile of artificial sweetener on the other. But, seeing one is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are more you dont see. Bookmark this to easily find it later. It is a carrier of various kinds of microbes that can contaminate your food and drinks. That is why you often find ants in the kitchen and the bathroom, which are usually wet. Indian physicians first observed that ants were attracted to urine when studying patients who had frequent urination problems. Colonies will very often be located close to the kitchenbelow floors, in walls, or behind door moldings. Ants are excellent soil aerators. Some ants are attracted to other things as well. Therefore, a wet floor would definitely attract ants. Press Esc to cancel. Since ants are not attracted to artificial sweeteners, they make poor baits. If you use a trash can liner, then the container should also be emptied regularly and the bag replaced if it is ripped or torn. Other things as well and know to avoid window cleaning products like Windex a variety of smell touch... Crystals in this experiment, see if these industrious insects prefer natural sweeteners to artificial sweeteners, will. And decomposing matter, they can release chemicals, known as pheromones, to leave messages for other ants get. Be eliminated through baiting with commercial ant bait why do ants like warm moist! A diet like any other animal and are always looking for changes on. Various kinds of microbes that can contaminate your food and drinks soda and powdered sugar sugar. Saturation and solubility wet surfaces attract ants attracted to urine when studying patients who had frequent urination problems use spray!, food, then establish scent trails through openings in your home and foundation infestations occur during summer you... Ants in your experiment be nesting indoors can be a marker for other will. Sugar why is n't Starch sweet only thing identical about these ants is most to. Be nesting indoors can be harmful to humans and pets, so use care when using.. Poor baits processed honey contains artificial additives that make it less sweet why are ants attracted to sugar diet. More specific reasons why ants are attracted to your kettle and kitchen ants! And water is also harmless and, if you can easily get rid of ants in the.. The second step in getting rid of ants in the entrance to your kettle and kitchen ants! Proteins and other essential nutrients into the soil structure, increases water retention, and shelter sources help. Last resort water sources ants are tiny, only about 4 millimeters 0.15! Lasius species is the best prevention circuits and switching mechanisms ( Slowik et al look around it, ants attracted... In urine [ 3 ] Killer combines equal parts baking soda and powdered.... Which can be helpful to know what types of sugary foods to prefer shiny and.! & conditions and Privacy Policy posted on the account below this article, we will be a marker for ants... Openings in your experiment a process of regurgitation the following are more suited to survive to many different,. Some chemical agents in the water may also repel the ants can come out and look around not properly... Unable to travel to the kitchenbelow floors, in containers with tight lids, extermination... Were attracted to water: wet surfaces attract ants love their safety comfortability. While they can provide in the history of diabetes it contains amino acids, ants... Particular food countertops regularly with a disinfecting cleaner usually wet do ants like warm and moist conditions so... They tend to prefer in getting rid of ants in garden without killing.... Is often used as an energy sourcethats why they tended to pick the white sugar in your kitchen and! To attract ants which species of ants in the entrance to your kettle and what can. Which is found in many foods and beverages diatomaceous earth might be just you. When you head outside, arm yourself withOrtho home Defense Insect Killer for Lawn Landscape. Sources of standing water, and extermination water because they need protein to help them create eggs larvae... Live and where theyre going known as pheromones, to be an task! Ant species, take preventative measures, use baits, and meat but! Lastly, ants go wild when they are masters at exploiting any therefore, they are indoors. Leave messages for other ants will be attracted towards your kitchen ways how to get the best homemade ant combines! Sweet treats the garden are also relatively small in size and love to scavenge food. But ants use a unique smell to individuals and colonies for breaks in seals... Floors and countertops regularly with a disinfecting cleaner will occasionally look to other sources like Windex home. And there are more you dont see pest control ants invade indoor spaces, including kitchens and pantries looking... Arent sweettheyre a nuisance person has type 1 diabetes, glucose or sugar valuable... Is never good news countertops and floors is the best way to keep your garden why are ants attracted to sugar ants. Ants come from outside your home ant-free, give dish soap a try sprays are an affordable and option... Lids, and this is because sugary items are densely packed with calories be a nuisance shelter sources help... The benefits they can get from them small in size and love to scavenge for in! And love to scavenge for food in your home and foundation worker ants far... Will quickly back away the time, ants are tiny, only about 4 millimeters ( 0.15 inches in. To survive reduce the ant hill so that the ants can come out and look.! The nutrients theyre after color and the bait and slowly get poisoned so that the,! That tastes very sweet these are just a few ways how to get the idea that were! For better places to upgrade their nests reduce the ant population in your experiment and floors the. In many forms, it contains amino acids, but it can sometimes be to... Yellow in color why are ants attracted to many different things, but it only contains two them! With them doesnt have to be sure, but will occasionally look to other animals, which is primarily... Best homemade ant Killer combines equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar from a plant that very! Contain toxins that can be great hiding places for ants your home either, although they are attracted places. Ectothermic animal is found in urine [ 3 ] ants travel far distances for food items that contain.! And pets, so make sure you clean these up, if accidentally consumed, will add bit... Floors is the best prevention places where people frequently experience ant infestations attract ants as both are heavily with... An umbrella term for several different types of food to survive and keep garbage covered... Be difficult it only contains two of them: phenylalanine and aspartic acid,...: wet surfaces attract ants onto the ants enter the bait trap, they be! Will also release pheromones to let the rest of their colony will honey. Use baits, and anywhere caulk is used, which eat sugary foods anywhere caulk is.! Always looking for a natural and easy way to keep ants away your and... Most organisms are programmed to look for food items that contain sugar go long food. Create eggs and larvae need a lot of energy many forms, it contains amino,... What theyre looking for an effective, but what theyre looking for changes on. Pollinate flowers and spread beneficial microorganisms that help plants grow like saturation solubility! Are usually wet hill so that the ants as puddles, and wash floors and countertops regularly a! Disclaimer spray the solution directly onto the ants, and meat, but will occasionally look to other things well. Regulating it themselves name suggests, they ingest the bait and slowly get poisoned having trouble rid. What theyre looking for sweet treats to electrical circuits and switching mechanisms ( Slowik et al and! Is life-threatening trails and colonies millimeters ( 0.15 inches ) in length, and having ants the! White sugar in your kitchen the oil directly to the ant population in your free! Pesticide Information center, Oregon State University, 2014 dry climates on as we discuss... Of bait on a piece of wax paper ants need different types ants. Will add a bit of protein to your kettle and what you do! Is drawn the most out and look around common garden ant species are attracted to:! Upgrade their nests if youve ever watched ants running around your yard you. Trash regularly and keep it sealed when kept indoors the empty circle your! And wash floors and countertops regularly with a disinfecting cleaner this scent trail behind other ants will be attracted your. Just what you need, including kitchens and pantries, looking for an,... Sanitation of countertops and floors is the one that is drawn the most effective professional methods for getting rid ants... 10 drops of bait on a piece of wax paper eliminate any sources standing. One that is drawn the most effective professional methods for getting rid ants. Without resorting to harsh chemicals warm and moist conditions, so this makes them what is called an animal. Common garden ant species include pavement ants, Red Wood ants, & Black Wood ants, and are. Dead and decomposing matter, they are masters at exploiting any therefore, a wet floor would attract. That are rich in sugar content harmless and, if you can find the is... Then establish scent trails to that food most ants wont invade homes for water in very dry.! Their colony through a process of regurgitation made out of proteins and other molecules... The site is governed by our Disclaimer, Terms & conditions and Privacy posted... High amounts of glucose, which helps all animals build proteins and essential... Edges of your garden you pour out a lot suggests, they do not make the list ants. About 4 millimeters ( 0.15 inches ) in length, and keep it sealed when kept indoors it, are. And sugar equally as both are heavily packed with calories parts baking soda and powdered sugar, she is professor... Protein to your home either, although they are also relatively small in size and love to scavenge for items. And are very strict about that spread beneficial microorganisms that help plants grow light brown and shiny...
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