This happened yesterday to Ben's bully stick. He took it out on the patio and they covered it within an hour! I don't know where all those ants come from or how they spread the alarm so quickly! We should be very glad God made them so small, that is all I can say! I just shooed him away from it and left it. Thankfully a nice rain storm came along this morning and washed it off for me. So, I rescued it again.
I have found there are definately a LOT of difference in bully sticks. I must have had some old or extra-dried-out bully sticks before. The last ones they got turn all white and mushy when they chew on them. They swell up, stick to their hair, and make a mess. I am no longer a fan of bully sticks even though they seem to like these just as much as the ones I had before that did not get all messy. I may not get anymore after this since I don't see anyone advertising theirs as old and dried out enough not to be messy.