Ants kept a woman awake by continually ringing on her bell (Picture: BBC)

A colony of prank playing ants has been caught after a nest they built kept a woman awake because it repeatedly rang on her door bell.

The 75-year-old, from Offenburg, Germany, was constantly kept up at night because of the ringing and despite attempts to find the perpetrator, was unable to identify them.

She eventually became so fed up she decided to call the police, in the hope they would be able to nail the prankster.

After an investigation the authorities determined it was an ant’s nest that was causing the problem.


They said the insects had built such a big home that the nest pressed the switching elements together, keeping the bell ringing.



In the end, officers removed the nest with a knife, allowing the lady to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep for the first time in a while.

There was no news on the ants but we wouldn’t be surprised if they’re off playing pranks somewhere else.