How do bugs like ants and spiders “stick” to walls, ceilings etc? Are there certain surfaces they can’t climb up?

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How do bugs like ants and spiders “stick” to walls, ceilings etc? Are there certain surfaces they can’t climb up?

In: Chemistry

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Spiders, they have tiny little hooks at the end of the hairs I think (correct me if I’m wrong on the hairs) that will help them climb around

Flies have virtually the same thing where they have tiny hooks in the feet and hairs.

Ants I’m not so sure about but it might be similar

Also why most smooth surfaces are harder for bugs to climb because those hooks have less to grab on to

Anonymous 0 Comments

IIRC, bugs & even larger animals *(chameleons)* use Van Der Waals forces to stick to surfaces.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_Waals_force