Every time I get ants around my desk I notice their strong, unpleasant smell (probably formic acid, but maybe some alkanes?). If I even brush a surface they've

Every time I get ants around my desk I notice their strong, unpleasant smell (probably formic acid, but maybe some alkanes?). If I even brush a surface they've walked across, I can smell it. It's quite unpleasant and I can't imagine wanting to use it in cooking.