Tiny radio transmitters were fitted to ants by scientists to study their house-hunting habits.
Researchers at the University of Bristol fitted radio-frequency identification tags to the backs of the rock ants which measure up to 3mm in length.
Two thousand of the tiny transponders would fit on to a postage stamp.
The scientists then watched the way the ants chose between two nest sites to make their home.
The ants chose the superior nest even though it was nine times further away than the alternative, which was not as well built.
When a colony of rock ants needs to emigrate to a new nest, scouting ants first discover new nests and assess them before leading nest-mates to the new nest to prepare it before the rest of the colony emigrates.
Dr Elva Robinson, from the University's School of Biological Sciences, said that 41% of the ants that visited the nearer, poorer nest later switched to the nest which was further away.
Only 3% of the ants that first visited the far nest switched to the near nest.
"Each ant appears to have its own 'threshold of acceptability' against which to judge a nest individually," she said.
"Ants finding the poor nest were likely to switch and find the good nest, whereas ants finding the good nest were more likely to stay committed to that nest.
"When ants switched quickly between the two nests, colonies ended up in the good nest.
"Individual ants did not need to comparatively evaluate both nests in order for the entire colony to make the correct decision."
Dr Robinson said the study showed that ants are better at house-hunting then humans.
"On the other hand, animals - including humans - who use comparative evaluation frequently make 'irrational' decisions," she said.
"The ants' threshold rule makes an absolute assessment of nest quality that is not subject to risks, so simple individual behaviour substitutes for direct comparison, facilitating effective choice between nest sites for the colony as a whole."
The research is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/5193699/Ants-fitted-with-radio-transmitters-for-scientific-study.html
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