A Fire Ant sting is painful. It stays painful for a few days, but at least it’s pretty localized. The problem with a Fire Ant sting is that you’ll rarely get one at a time. It can happen if you come across a worker, but Fire Ants love to swarm. This can be incredibly painful even for a healthy adult, but Fire ants in the yard can quickly turn into a medical emergency for children and pets. The elderly and those who already have health issues are especially susceptible. Fire Ant control in your yard is crucial for this reason.

Where do Fire Ants come from?

Fire Ants originate from Brazil, but they were brought here in the 1930s. They hitched a ride via cargo into Alabama. They’re aggressive and territorial, so they spread quickly in the South. If they’re in your yard, it’s only a matter of time before you start getting them in your home, too. Fire Ant removal is a must.

Do Fire Ants bite or sting?

Fire Ants do bite, but it’s the sting that’s painful. Most ants bite and spray an acid on the bite. Lovely, right? But Fire Ants do one better. They bite to get a secure grip on you. It’s hard to break, yet the painful part comes from the sting. They’ll sting in a semi-circle as they hold onto you, injecting a venom that will create a burning sensation. These stings will later welt up and turn into blisters. These blisters will fill with pus. Don’t pop the blisters. They may also become infected, in which case they may leave permanent scars. Fire Ants will bite anywhere. Some people are more sensitive to these stings than others.

Are Fire Ants deadly?

Fire Ants can kill, and there are recorded cases where they have done exactly that. People who are especially sensitive to the sting, or who receive many stings may become intensely sick, have trouble keeping food down, experience difficulty breathing, and swelling. Fire Ant stings can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction.

Get rid of Fire Ants

Fire Ant removal is a must. One recent case of death simply involved a woman stepping onto a nest she didn’t realize was there. Within seconds, Fire ants swarmed up her shoe and started delivering hundreds of stings. She experienced anaphylaxis and died.

If you have Fire Ants in the yard, you do have a danger to your health from fire ant sting lurking nearby. Patches of torn up ground are a telltale sign, but can easily be lost in overgrowth, tall grass, or patchier ground. Contact Slug-A-Bug about getting rid of fire ants in your yard. We’re happy to help.