Ask Lemmy

I do not know. I have never actively tried to smell ants nor had them inside any apartments I've lived in. I shall test this when summer returns one day. But I do remember that the ant guy wrote about having some genetic quirk that ables him to register some compound that's out normal human range of smell.

The ant-smelling trait is a genetic thing. I have a co-worker that can smell ants, but otherwise their sense of smell is unremarkable

Yeah, Covid was a freaky experience. I got off easy, no fever or other symptoms, I just realized one day that I was unable to smell freshly cut grass. Then I realized that I did not smell anything at all.

My sense of smell started coming slowly back after a few days and I can't tell if it's diminished or not. But after Covid every brand of whiskey smells and tastes like vomit to me, so there was a price to pay. Also the smell of someone eating rice cakes became utterly disgusting, as well as yogurt. Before Covid I barely registered these two.

Perfumes or scented products are not a problem for me at all, unless of course someone uses way too much. Like I said, I kind of block all the unpleasant stuff unconsciously and focus on the good ones.

It's kind of like listening to radio, all the channels are broadcasting all the time, simultaneously, but you still tune in to listen only one at a time.

And when I'm intoxicated, theyre all blaring at the same time and cannot be silenced :(

I don't usually bring this "gift" of mine up in real life, it tends to create pretty awkward and unpleasant situations.

"Oh, if you have such sharp sense of smell, then tell me what deodorant/lotion/perfume I'm using?" How the hell could I know the names of every hygienic/cosmetic product, especially when the reek of detergent, fabric softener and sweat is mixed with the scent I'm supposed to recognize?

Or people just laugh at me and call me a liar.

But my friends are aware of my talent, when someone is considering to buy an apartment they often ask me to accompany them for a presentation. I can tell almost instantly if there's water damage or mold. When I was buying my own apartment I found one spot under the stairs that had a very faint but odd smell, like wet cement mixed with the smell of a wet dog. There were no water pipes or sewers even near that wall, nor were there any signs of leaks from above. I called the seller to ask about this and he started laughing. The spot was their old dog's favourite place to curl up for a sleep after a walk in the rain. And it was years since the dog had passed away, they had even painted the wall once and renewed the floor laminate after that. So no worries, I bought the place.