8/24/2020

When we write up our S&H documents for field work, the subject of wildlife is typically discussed. Many times, we think of animal encounters such as bears. We typically specify that avoidance is the best practice to control contact with these creatures. And that may mean having an awareness of your surroundings and to not approach an animal – whether a bear, deer, skunk (of course!) and quite possibly retreat into a vehicle or enclosed structure (if available).

But sometimes we encounter those small creepy-crawlies that some of us have a tendency to merely squash with our foot. Reminds me of an old Twilight Zone episode staring Roddy McDowell who arrives at a planet where all the people are minuscule and Roddy sets himself as a god, crushing his subjects whenever they step out of line (oohh, poor choice of words!). In the end, other visitors come to the planet who are giants and do unto Roddy as he did onto the original occupants of the planet – Squash!).    

In our field work, we may find ourselves sitting down for a break, only to realize we are sitting on top of a colony of ants. These little guys are aggressive! And the most aggressive of these insects are the fire ants.

Fire ants range in color from red-brown to black, and grow up to 1/4 inch in length. They build nests or mounds about 1 foot high, usually in grassy areas like lawns and pastures. Unlike most anthills, fire ant nests don’t have just one entrance. These ants crawl all over the hill.

Fire ants can be quite aggressive when their nest is disturbed. If provoked, they swarm on the perceived intruder, anchor themselves by biting to hold the skin and then sting repeatedly, injecting a toxic venom called solenopsin. Solenopsin is an alkaloid (with the molecular formula C₁₇H₃₅N) and is considered the primary substance for the cardiorespiratory failure in people who experience excessive fire ant stings.  

Fire ants are NOT native to North America. It’s thought that they arrived in the United States in the 1930s via cargo ships traveling from South America. And since then, they’ve become an ecological disaster as wherever they go, they have a negative effect on the local environment as they attack other ants and animals.

And as many of us have found out, their prey includes humans. Fire ants are among the very few types of domestic ants that frequently bite people.

But saying that these ants “bite” is inaccurate.  The fact is, fire ants don’t bite, they deliver a sting via their tail. Only the females sting, and their stinger is very sharp and delivers the toxic venom that contains solenopsin.

Stings from fire ants start out as a small, red spot, and, after a day or two, a white pustule forms that’s itchy and a little bit painful.

It’s possible to experience just a single sting from a lone fire ant. You may be outside working in a garden or something and get just one on your arm or leg, but commonly people make the mistake of stopping and standing on a mound without realizing it, so they end up covered and they get hundreds of stings.

A fire ant’s stinger is not barbed, so it can sting a person multiple times. You may see a row of red marks, and that’s where one ant has grabbed on and stabbed its stinger down in a semicircle.

Of course, if you’ve picked up multiple fire ants, you’ll know what’s stinging you because you’ll see and feel them on your skin. But if you’re stung just once and don’t see the fire ant, you’ll know it by the fiery sensation and the white pus-filled blister that forms a day or two later.

In most cases, fire ant stings don’t require any medical treatment. They’ll itch for a few days, but they’ll go away within a week to 10 days. But some people — about one in 100 — will have a more serious reaction. Unfortunately, in rare cases it can be lethal if not treated immediately.

Head to the ER if you notice any of the follow symptoms, which indicate an allergic response or other complications:

First aid measures require washing ant stings with soap and water while applying ice to keep the swelling down. You can use OTC pain or anti-itch creams as needed, but don’t apply rubbing alcohol!  This can make the sting more painful.

If you notice the sting continuing to swell or grow larger a day or two after you’re stung, that may be a sign of a secondary infection. Fever, muscle aches, or flu-like symptoms can also be cause for concern, and you should call your doctor.

Fire ants aren’t a problem in most places that experience freezing temps during winter. But there are other species of ant that live in northern states that do occasionally bite or sting. In some cases, those attacks can be quite serious. A few other types of domestic ants, most notably, the red harvester and carpenter ants (as well as other less common species) are capable of either stinging or “biting. But, compared with fire ant stings, attacks from these ants are relatively rare.

Harvester ants are less common today than they once were. They tend to live mostly in the Southwest and Texas. But because of their large size — usually one-quarter to one-half inch in length, they’re still a popular choice for ant farms. Like fire ants, they sting rather than bite. But unlike fire ants, they’re reluctant to attack.

A red harvester ant’s sting often feels and looks like a bee sting. A painful, swollen, red welt may form, which may itch after a few days and could take a week or more to go away.

Carpenter ants don’t sting: they bite. But when confronted by people, they tend to try to escape rather than swarm and attack. If they do bite, the result and possible complications are similar to the stings of harvester ants. That is, the victim may experience a stab of pain and a red welt.

Both carpenter ants and red harvester ants are venomous, so their bite or sting can cause serious reactions. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction or serious complication such as problems breathing, a racing heart, flu-like symptoms; head to the emergency room. And again, if you notice any pronged swelling or flu-like symptoms; both of which could indicate a secondary bacterial infection, call your doctor.

Both harvester ants and fire ants like to build their nests in open, sunny areas away from vegetation. Therefore, the best way to avoid bites is to keep your eyes on the ground and avoid sitting down, squatting, or standing on their mound-like nests (ant hills).

Carpenter ants, on the other hand, show up inside homes and other wooden structures. They tend to bite only if handled or touched.  For instance, if a person tries to squash them or swipe them away. Use sprays or other forms of pest control if you stumble onto these wood-loving ants, you shouldn’t have to worry much about being bitten.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use

Soren Kierkegaard