I think that ants who have a very developed society
(Civil engineering,communication,agriculture,herding livestock,warfare,slavetaking…well some of them anyway)
have come to regard you as their god and are trying to get closer to you for purposes of worship.
The dead ants that you’ve found are almost certainly sacrificial victims made hoping to get your benevolence.
The ant priests interpret your bug spray as the wrath of PappSett and will no doubt try to placate you with yet more sacrifices.
But I would’t mention this to anyone as they might think that you’re insane.
Its just you and me who know the truth,so lets keep it that way.