Ants

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DID YOU KNOW? The following are considered Venomous Animals.
  • There are over 65,000 species of ants in the world
  • Fire ants look very much like ordinary garden ants
  • They are small and coppery-brown in color 
  • There are three kinds of ants in most colonies:
    • The queen-Largest ant with wings, in charge of reproduction and caring for the young
    • The workers-Usually small females, but can also include males, collect food for the colony
    • The soldiers-Usually larger males protect the colony and are also used for mating- they die after they mate
  • Fire ants can be distinguished by their aggressive behavior
  • Their nests can appear as dome-shaped mounds, up to 14 in. high in open areas like lawns, along roadsides or in vacant lots
  • They can usually be found next to, or underneath other objects such as wood, logs, rocks, bricks or trash

The Bite

  • Some ants can both bite and sting and usually bite in numbers-sometimes in the hundreds
  • Fire ants can inflict a fiery sting, which can cause a small blister at the site of the sting  
  • The blister may become itchy while healing and if broken can be prone to infections
  • Symptoms include redness, itching, swelling, pain and burning sensation at the site of the bite
  • Because of their aggressive nature, fire ants in particular can bite multiple times and in multiple numbers increasing their effects

First Aid

  • Keep the victim well hydrated (give plenty of liquids for the first 8 hrs.)
  • Have a Tetanus shot update if it has been more than 10 years since your last one.
  • Always wash the area affected with soap and water
  • Keep victim hydrated-lots of liquids for first 8 hrs.
  • Have a Tetanus shot update if more than 10 years
  • Call poison center at 1-800-222-1222 for instructions - allergic reactions may occur
  • Do not:
    • Cut the area or attempt to suck out the poison
    • Try to capture the ants for identification
    • Apply any substance/chemical to the affected area without consulting the poison center first
  • Hospitalization is not usually required