Viral Claims That Ethanol Fuel Attracts Ants Debunked by Experts and Oil Companies

A video circulating widely on social media claims that ethanol-blended fuel attracts ants, with users alleging that ants are drawn to the fuel's alleged sweet smell. The video, which shows clusters of ants near a vehicle's fuel tank, specifically references E85 fuel and has sparked widespread concern about the safety implications of ethanol-blended petrol in India. However, experts and major petroleum companies have thoroughly debunked these claims, stating there is no scientific basis for the assertion.

The Indian government has been actively promoting ethanol-blended fuel, particularly E20 (20 percent ethanol blend), as part of its strategy to reduce air pollution and decrease spending on crude oil imports. This initiative has made ethanol-blended petrol widely available across the country, prompting increased social media speculation about its effects on vehicles and the surrounding environment.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) clarified that fuel-grade ethanol used in petrol blends undergoes fermentation and distillation processes that remove residual sugars and the sweet odour associated with laboratory ethanol. During the distillation process, ethanol loses any residual sugars and aromatic compounds that might attract insects. Additionally, fuel-grade ethanol contains denaturing factors that actively repel insects. When blended into petrol, the distinctive hydrocarbon smell of conventional petrol dominates over any underlying ethanol odour. E20 fuel also produces less fuel vapour than traditional petrol, eliminating another potential attractant.

BPCL emphasized that no factor associated with E20 fuel would cause ants or other insects to congregate around vehicle fuel caps. The company stated that the viral claims circulating on social media are entirely baseless and lack any scientific foundation. Experts concur that while laboratory-grade ethanol with its fermented fruit-like sweetness might theoretically attract ants, the highly refined fuel-grade ethanol used in commercial petrol blends bears no resemblance to this form and contains no properties that would appeal to insects. The distinction between laboratory ethanol and fuel-grade ethanol is critical to understanding why the viral claims have no merit.