![]() The ants perceive this disturbance as a direct attack and the workers quickly react en masse to defend their colony. The vast majority of stinging events occur when people inadvertently ‘attack’ the fire ants, usually by unknowingly stepping in, lying in, or otherwise disturbing the mound. The worker attaches to the skin with its chewing mouth parts (. Single worker ants can bite and sting several times. Given the pain and discomfort that can result from even a few fire ant stings, it is fortunate that fire ants do not normally aggressively seek out and attack human beings. Fire ant inserting stinger into human skin. Each year there are cases of human fatalities resulting from fire ant stings, either due to anaphylaxis or to massive numbers of stings occurring on people who are incapacitated. These vary in intensity, but in the most extreme cases even a few stings can result in the life-threatening condition known as anaphylaxis. But incidents of this magnitude do occasionally occur, usually involving people who are less mobile due to age, accident or infirmity.Īlthough a few fire ant stings do not constitute a medical emergency for most people, a very small percent of people develop allergic reactions to fire ant venom. Most people recover from such encounters with no lasting ill effects, and it is only when such stinging incidents involve many hundreds or thousands of stings that they become truly threatening. The pain and irritation associated with a single sting is multiplied many fold in such incidents. ![]() ![]() Unfortunately, a stinging encounter with fire ants usually involves more than one ant, and each year many people have the experience of being stung by dozens, or even hundreds, of fire ants. The potential for secondary problems is greater in people suffering from medical problems, such as diabetes or compromised immune systems.įor most people a single fire ant sting is a ‘mildly painful’ experience that would quickly be forgotten were it not for the ‘mildly irritating’ pustule. Stings can cause localized pain and/or itching for several days, and they can potentially become infected, especially if broken open by scratching or other causes. Despite the appearance of this pustule, it is not infected. Within about 24 hours a raised white pustule forms at the site, and this will persist for many days. Initially, there is a sharp localized pain. Unlike the sting of the honey bee, the sting of the fire ant is not barbed, and an individual worker can sting repeatedly and still survive to return to her normal duties. The bite is of no lasting consequence, but the venom they inject through their sting is quite potent, especially in relation to their size. They sting and it hurts!įire ants bite as well, grasping the skin with their mandibles to anchor themselves and better insert their sting. But when confronted by people, they tend to try to escape not to swarm and attack. Because the sting is not barbed, fire ant workers can sting multiple times.Īnyone who has ever been unfortunate enough to have an intimate encounter with fire ants understands why they are such unwelcome pests. Fire ant stings often result in raised white pustules at the site of the sting.
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