Fire Ant Bites & Treatment

When Do Fire Ants Sting?

Fire ants attack when their mound is disturbed, and the colony reacts fast. Someone who steps on a nest can have dozens of ants on a leg within seconds. Each ant bites to get a grip, then stings, and it can pivot and sting again several times without letting go. That is why fire ant stings often show up in small circles or clusters.

Are Fire Ant Stings Dangerous?

For most people the stings hurt but are not serious. The venom causes a sharp, burning pain, which is how these ants got their name. A raised, itchy welt follows, and within about a day each sting usually turns into a small white blister. These blisters can itch for a week or more. If they are scratched open, bacteria can get in, and an infected sting can leave a scar.

A small share of people are allergic to the venom. For them, stings can set off a reaction that affects the whole body and can be life threatening. Warning signs include hives or swelling away from the stings, swelling of the face, lips or throat, trouble breathing, dizziness, nausea or feeling faint. Call 911 right away if any of these appear. Pets get stung too, and a large attack can seriously hurt young animals, small pets and animals that cannot move away.

Treating Fire Ant Stings

First, brush the ants off quickly with your hand or a cloth. Water alone often will not knock them loose, because they hold on with their jaws. Then wash the area with soap and cool water and apply a cold compress to ease the burning. An over-the-counter anti-itch cream or an oral antihistamine can help with itching. Leave the blisters alone and keep them clean. See a doctor if a sting looks infected, with spreading redness, warmth or pus.

If mounds keep showing up in your yard, Florida Bug Control can find and treat them before someone else gets stung. Call 1-855-624-2847 for a free inspection.